Donald "Chief" R. Ritchie, the founder of Ritchie Implement, passed away Oct. 27, 2025 at age 91. Ritchie Implement, the 2015 Dealership of the Year Recipient posted this on their facebook account:
Ritchie was born on April 10, 1934, in Cobb, WI, the son of James “Pete” and Lucille (Ward) Ritchie.
Don graduated from Cobb High School in 1952. He was united in marriage to Bonnie Leix in 1954. Together they raised three children until choosing to go their separate ways in 1995. In 1961 Don and Bonnie started Ritchie Motors. They received many honors for their accomplishments, even being acknowledged as a top 100 Allis- Chalmers dealership in the United States. They expanded the business in 1988 by purchasing the local Case IH Dealership in Highland, WI. They were true entrepreneurs.