To: All Faculty Members - From: Raymond J. Schlicher, Director of Extension - Date: January 21, 1974
Dr. Elmer L. Ritter, Emeritus Professor of Education and Director of the Extension Service, passed away in Sun City, Arizona, on Thursday, January 17, 1974, following a lingering illness. Dr. Ritter was born in Walton, Indiana, in 1883. He received the B. A. degree from Indiana University in 1914, the M .A. and Ph. D. from the University of Iowa in 1917 and 1920. Dr. Ritter joined the staff of the Iowa State Teachers College in September 1921 as Professor of Elementary Education with primary responsibility for off-campus work in rural and town schools throughout the state. He was involved far many years in the administration of teachers college branch summer schools held throughout the state. In 1948 he was named Director of Extension Serice. Following his retirement from active service in 1954 he spent several years as a part-time extension consultant until he assumed emeritus status in June 1966, at which time former President Maucker wrote: "I shall not attempt to list all the high points in your professional career . . . I do want you to know that while events sometimes slip by like ships in the night, we are highly cognizant of your great devotion and loyalty to the college and the tremendous service you have rendered to the institution and to the state of Iowa."
Dr. Ritter had been a member of Phi Delta Kappa, National Society for the Study of Education, National Education Association and its Department of Rural Education, American Association of School Administrators, Iowa State Education Association, Rotary, Masonic groups, and the Walt Whitman Schoolmasters Club. He is survived by his wife, Lillian, and one brother. Funeral services will be held today at the Lundberg Mortuary, Youngtown, Arizona, with interment in Sun City. The flag will be flown at half-mast on the UNI campus this afternoon in memory of Dr. Ritter.