Robert Earle Ritz Sr.

Robert Earle Ritz Sr., 90, of Conroe, passed away on October 19, 2022 of natural causes at his home in Conroe.
He was born on May 5, 1932, in Shiner, to John and Emma Ritz. Early in his life, Robert served in the U.S. Air Force. His fondest memories of his time in the service included traveling around the world.
After leaving the service, he opened a chain of grocery stores with his brother John called Ritz Food Mart. One store remains today in El Campo under different ownership.
Later Robert entered into sales, finding success selling candy with his most notable client being Major League Baseball teams. Robert was a lifelong Houston Astros fan, and he rarely missed a game on the TV or the radio.
Robert was a devoted family man with a quick wit. No matter the situation, he could find a comment or joke to lighten the mood and give everyone a laugh. It was quite possibly this sense of humor that won over his sweetheart, Sue. After a period of courting, Sue and Robert married.
Early in their marriage Sue lamented she was not a very good cook, with the only dish she felt proficient in being salmon croquettes. Always the devoted husband, Robert never complained. Years later he was rewarded as Sue became regarded as an excellent home cook. They were together for 58 years.
Throughout his life Robert enjoyed wood working. His do-it-yourself attitude included building large portions of a home in Hilltop Lakes, Texas he built as a retirement home for himself and his wife.
Later in his career Robert sold cowboy hats to retailers all around Texas. His big box store clients, especially Walmart, lamented that there was no way to display these hats in their stores. Always the enterprising salesperson, Robert built hat racks in his wood working shed of all kinds to display the hats he sold.
Robert will be dearly missed by his beloved family and friends.
Survivors include his son, Robert E. Ritz, Jr.; grandsons, Robert E. Ritz, III and Jason Ritz; and great-grandsons, J.J. Ritz and Erin Ritz.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Ritz; daughter, Alexandria Ritz; his parents; and brother, John Ritz.