Morris "Skip" Rea Ritch, III

Morris Rea “Skip” Ritch III passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at his home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Skip was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 10, 1948, to the late Morris Rea Ritch, Jr. and Virginia Smith Ritch Rink. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother, Harrell Dixon Ritch.

Skip graduated from Myers Park High School in Charlotte in 1966 and earned a degree in building construction from Clemson University in 1971. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving at Craig AFB in Selma, Alabama, where he was an officer in the engineering division. He was honorably discharged in 1972.

Skip began his career in construction after relocating to Myrtle Beach and supervised the building of many well-known local landmarks. A true epicure, Skip’s adventurous palate, insatiable pursuit of new cuisines, and enthusiasm for wine and fine dining led him not just to become a regular at many of Myrtle Beach’s finest restaurants, but eventually drew him into managing one of them.

In recent years, Skip worked in sales, first in the timeshare industry and more recently, in real estate, where his natural warmth and charm were a perfect fit.

A long-time resident of Myrtle Beach, Skip loved everything related to beach music and shag dancing. He enjoyed golf and played on many courses from the Grand Strand and the Lowcountry all the way to Pebble Beach. Skip adored his Clemson Tigers and shooting sports in almost equal measures.

Skip devoted his life to self-improvement, whether it was making the perfect rub for a roast, refining his golf swing, or in the months just before his death, mastering Wordle. He was non-discriminatory in his pursuit of wisdom, filling his home with sticky notes bearing inspirational quotes from thinkers as diverse as Jesus, Winston Churchill, Neb Hayden, Napoleon Hill, and Marianne Williamson. His internet passwords were often acronyms of his favorite sayings, serving as daily reminders of his relentless pursuit of his higher purpose.

Skip was above all a people person, eagerly engaging friends and strangers in conversation and respectful debate, hungry to understand differing perspectives and find common ground with others. Throughout his life, he won many over with his kindness, curiosity, good humor, and generosity. His many friends and colleagues join in his family’s grief.

Of all his accomplishments, Skip was most proud of and devoted to his family. He is survived by his daughter, Erin Helen Ritch Barbot, her husband William Charles Barbot, stepgrandson Nicholas Charles Barbot, and granddaughters Collins Anne Barbot and Frances Rea Barbot, all of Williston, Vermont, as well as his former wives, Linda Vogler of South Burlington, Vermont and Lucyanne Sumner of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

A celebration of Skip’s life will be held in Myrtle Beach later this year.

In Skip’s honor, please consider donating to Young Life of Charlotte, an organization that held a special place in his heart.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Morris "Skip" Rea Ritch, III, please visit our floral store.