Richard A. Ritger (November 8, 1938 – August 27, 2020) was a right-handed ten-pin bowler in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), who spent his later years as a bowling instructor and proprietor of Dick Ritger's Bowling Camp. Known for his smooth stroker delivery, he is one of only 17 players in history to have won at least 20 career PBA Tour titles.[1]
PBA career
Ritger grew up in River Falls, Wisconsin. He joined the PBA Tour in 1964, and won his first two PBA titles in successive weeks in 1966. He won his 20th and final PBA title in 1979. The 20 titles put him in a 14th-place tie with Wayne Webb, Amleto Monacelli and Tommy Jones on the all-time list. He won multiple titles in five different seasons on tour, including three titles each in the 1969, 1973 and 1974 seasons. Ritger also won two titles in the Classic Division at the National USBC Championships, in Team (1967) and All-Events (1977).
A gentleman on the lanes and off, Ritger won the PBA's Steve Nagy Sportsmanship award on two occasions. His status among the all-time greats was solidified with his election to the PBA Hall of Fame in 1978.[1]
Ritger's best chance at a major title came in 1970, when he made the televised final of the Tournament of Champions and shot 268 in the final match. But he was on the wrong end of 26-time titlist Don Johnson's legendary 299 game. He also finished runner-up in the 1972 PBA National Championship and 1979 Tournament of Champions.
In the 1980s, Ritger started a bowling pro shop business and went into the instructional field, working as a coach for AMF and his own Dick Ritger's Bowling Camps. He became recognized as one of the most effective bowling instructors in the world, running over 500 clinics in 24 countries covering five continents.[2]
Already a member of the USBC Hall of Fame in the Performance category, Ritger was the first person inducted into the USBC's new Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame in June 2008.[3]
Personal
Ritger began bowling regularly at age 9 in his family's 10-lane center in Hartford, Wisconsin. In his teens, he often competed in adult leagues. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse with a double major in Physical Education and Recreation.[2]
Death
Ritger died in his home on August 27, 2020, at the age of 81. He is survived by Judy Ritger (his wife of 60 years), three children, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.[2]
Awards and recognition
PBA Steve Nagy Sportsmanship award (1970, 1973)
PBA President, 1977–78
Inducted into PBA Hall of Fame, 1978
Inducted into USBC Hall of Fame (Performance Category), 1984
World Bowling Writers Distinguished Service Award, 1995
John Martino Award for "Outstanding Contribution to the Sport of Bowling," 1998
BPAA Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award, 2006 (inaugural award)
Inducted into USBC Bowling Coaches Hall of Fame, 2008
Was ranked #14 on the PBA's 2008 list of "50 Greatest Players of the Last 50 Years"
Inducted into Wisconsin State USBC Hall of Fame (Skills Category), 2009
