Robert Lee Ritchason (Bob) passed away peacefully on Friday, May 1, 2026. He was born May 4, 1938 in Zanesville, Ohio.
He entered the Navy, where he served on the aircraft carrier, USS Leyte as an electronic technician. During his time on the ship, he climbed the mast in a hurricane to fix the radar, while the ship rocked 45 degrees from side to side.
After leaving the Navy, he became a Customer Engineer for IBM in Columbus, Ohio. He then transferred to San Jose, California. He traveled the country assisting other CE’s that were having problems.
He then transferred to the IBM lab in Boca Raton, FL where he retired as a Senior Planner.
Upon the transfer of his wife to Research Triangle Park, they moved to Durham, N.C. where he took a retirement job in reservations for American Airlines for the flight benefits.
He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Carillon Orban, his daughter, Amy Therrien (husband Frank), his step-daughter, Wendy Garner (husband Tim), two grandsons, Cole and Reece Garner, his sisterin- law, Audrey Moeller, brother-in-law Devin Moeller, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
In lieu of donations, please give flowers or a plant in his memory to someone you love or to a nursing home. Shalom Bob.