Transition

My father, Herb Ritland, passed away last night at the Windhaven care facility in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He died exactly one month short of his 95th birthday. Our family considers his death a blessing because of his deteriorating dementia. He was living in an Alzheimer's wing of the facilty. My mother was with him at the time of his death.

He was a wonderful husband and father. My cousin (Herb's nephew) Mark Ritland sent me an email today expressing his sympathy. Here is a portion of what he said, "I'm very sorry to hear of Herb's passing.......I didn't know that he was in ill health. He was one of the finest men I've ever known....I always enjoyed talking with him about sports, outdoors, or family. Everyone in our family really loved him. Many, many times I heard former AHS students say what a great teacher he was....he must've really been an outstanding teacher. He was very humble and never said much about himself.....it was only a few years ago that I learned he was a participant in the battle of Iwo Jima."

May he rest in peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
JR