Daniel Benjamin Ritter

Born on April 6, 1937, In Wilmington, DE, Daniel B. Ritter, Esq. passed away on October 23rd, 2024.
In 1944, when Daniel was 7, the family moved to Seattle where he lived for the rest of his life.

At age 16, Daniel went to the University of Chicago, graduating with an honors degree in Political Science. Returning home to Seattle, he served in the US Army Reserves and taught high school English in Darington for two years. Then he entered the University of Washington Law School, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1963. He was awarded membership with the Order of the Coif. In law school, he served on the Washington Law Review becoming its Case Note Editor. Upon graduating in 1963, he joined the Law Firm now known as Davis, Wright Tremaine LLP, becoming partner in 1969, then Senior Counsel in 2006, and retiring in 2009.

During his tenure at the firm, he argued several cases in the Washington Court of Appeals, the Washington Supreme Court, and Federal Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit, prevailing in all but two cases. He argued the appeal of the Seattle Public Schools ruling at the US Supreme Court in 2006.

His community involvement was varied and extensive. He was an Eagle Scout and worked at Camp Parsons as Waterfront Director summers through law school. After graduation, he served as a Scoutmaster for several years. He also served on the boards of the Cathedral Associates in Seattle, the University of Chicago Club of Puget Sound, the National Alumni Relations Board of the University of Chicago, the American Lung Association, Seattle Camerata, and of the Early Music Club of Seattle. He also served as legal counsel to the Washington State Republican Party, and Counsel to the Republican Party of King County. He was a member of the Rainier Club of Seattle since 1984, and a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church for over 50 years.

Devoted to his family, he is survived by his daughter, Roxane (Michael), grandchildren, Neil, Seth, and Dakota; his sister, Kristin (Robert), and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley.

A celebration of life will be held at The Rainier Club on November 16th, 2024 from 12pm - 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please remember him with a contribution to the David Ritter Fellowship in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Washington.