In memoriam, Jeffrey Ritter (BA '75, MPP '77)
We are deeply saddened to report that Jeffrey Ritter (MPP ’77), town administrator of Sterling, Massachusetts, passed away on October 27 due to unexpected complications from dental surgery.
“Jeff was a native of Detroit, Mich., where his father worked in an auto factory,” reported The Harvard Press obituary in a November 7 tribute. “His blue-collar Midwestern roots were always important to him.”
The obituary described Ritter’s public service career in Massachusetts, where he served as commissioner of medical security, and helped to develop the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Plan for uninsured children. Later, Ritter served as the chief information officer for the Massachusetts Department of Employment and Training, before entering local government service in Harvard, Massachusetts.
In recent years, Ritter served as town administrator of Hatfield, Templeton, and, most recently, Sterling, Massachusetts. “Jeff undertook a wide range of town management responsibilities large and small, and he thoroughly enjoyed making an impact on small towns,” reported his obituary.
Other stories commemorating Ritter’s contributions as a dedicated policymaker and public servant include:
- “New Sterling administrator enjoys challenges of small towns,” by George Barnes of The Telegram;
- “Sterling town administrator Jeffrey Ritter dies, town in shock at the sudden loss,” by Sandy Quadros Bowles of The Landmark;
- “Sterling town administrator dies, reportedly from dental surgery complications,” by Samantha Allen of The Telegram; and
- “Sterling mourns town administrator Jeffrey Ritter,” by Patricia Roy and Sandy Quadros Bowles of The Landmark.
Please join us in extending heartfelt sympathies to Jeff’s wife, Amy, and his daughters Lily and Emma.