Robert "Bobby" Scott Ritter's Obituary
Robert (Bobby) Scott Ritter, age 73, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away at home on Friday, January 30, 2026. He was born on August 3, 1952, in Lakeland, Florida, to Hilda Marie Roberts Ritter, and Lewis Edward Ritter, Sr. Bobby, known to many as a quiet, humble and gentle soul, lived a life marked by his strength in adversity, his faith, love of Suzan and his family, traveling our beautiful country, and enjoying nature and being outdoors.
After a drafting certification, Bobby chose the outdoors. He spent much of his life working in construction, and owned his own construction company, where he took pride in building with his hands and serving his community. After being injured in 1995, his work became less central to his life, and he devoted more of his time to the people and places he loved. He was a founding member of the Gulf Hammock Hunting Club, and found great joy in hunting, spending time with family and friends in the woods, appreciating God’s creation. He had a special fondness for snow covered mountains, wooden covered bridges, deer, dogs, flowers, gardening, and butterflies. He shared that love of nature with those around him, especially his beloved grandchildren, Abigail and Jessup, where they rode the woods with him, and even grew chrysalis to watch them mature into butterflies.
He loved music, many of the old hymns, country songs from the 50s through the 90s, and his classic rock albums where 3 notes in, he could always name that tune.
He & his devoted wife Suzan were blessed to travel extensively throughout all of our states, Canada, and cruising the Caribbean. They traveled many happy miles in their motorhome, often on the road for several months at a time. In later years, as his health failed, he cherished the travel time joined by family. Utah was his favorite travel state, & western North Carolina his favorite place. But foremost he was a proud Floridian.
Those who knew Bobby will remember his incredible strength and resilience, as he dealt with a multitude of serious health problems, always with a positive spirit, determination, quick wit, and the way he still made others feel cared for and at peace. His family’s favorite memories include sunset rides on the lake with family, Christmas afternoons with family at the movies, evenings around the campfire listening to tall tales about big hunts, playing board and table games, and sharing stories of his early life. He was a well-rounded man, who could fix or build anything, and move the heaviest objects without help, just straps and levers. His mind was brilliant, he knew something about most anything, our walking encyclopedia.
He was an avid reader of scripture, especially after accepting Jesus and his baptism in https://2008.Romans 5:1-5 was a favorite.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Bobby was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Brandi Marie Harper, who passed away on June 30, 2024, his parents, Hilda and Lewis, brothers Lewis Jr, Terry, and Mickey, his special Aunt Verna Roberts, and all of his grandparents.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Suzan Wilt Ritter of Lakeland, Florida; his cherished grandchildren, Abigail Leigh Harper and Jessup Scott Harper; son in law Sean Harper, his loving sisters, Shelley Grigsby, Debbie King, Connie Ritter, and many other dear family members and friends, who will miss him deeply.
Visitation will be held on Saturday February 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Serenity Gardens Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home in North Lakeland, located at 3350 Mall Hill Drive. A funeral service to honor Robert’s life will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.
Burial will follow at the Socrum/Bethel cemetery on Socrum Loop in Lakeland, Florida.
Though Bobby will be dearly missed, we find comfort that he is now healed, and his spirit is reunited with his beloved Brandi. He will live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew and loved him, and in the beauty of nature he so deeply admired.
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