Colonel Leonard (Len) Harrison Ritchard, Jr.

Colonel Leonard (Len) H. Ritchard, Jr. of Omaha NE passed into the loving arms of His Lord and Savior on June 15^th 2023. He was born on August 31, 1943, in Decatur Illinois to Leonard H. Ritchard, Sr. and Virginia E. Ritchard. He attended schools in France and Illinois and attained his BS at Southern Illinois University and his master’s at Golden Gate University in California.

Len entered the Air Force in 1965 and retired in 1991. His military career included: Pilot, B-52, instructor pilot, aero-space maintenance director, A4016 Commander, Air Operations Officer,, and while serving in the Air Force received numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After retiring from the Air Force, Len worked at First Data Corp, TeleServices Partners as a consultant, and then Bellevue University for 6 years as Senior Director of Corporate Learning Services.

After retiring from Bellevue UNV, Len spent many years involved in his favorite volunteer work which was with the Gideons International. He loved serving God and others as state president for 3 years, vice president of the Omaha Central Camp, and making God’s Word available through distributions throughout the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Larry. His survivors are his wife, Carole; son, Brian and wife, Lilly; son, Kenneth; daughter Karen and husband Mike; sister Sandy and husband Jon; sister-in-law Chere; sister-in-law, Shirley; 3 grandchildren (Justin, Emily and Alex) , 3 great grand-children (Libby, Lynnix and Walker), nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

We will all miss you, dear Len!

Len’s Celebration of Life Service will be at Christ Community Church (404 S 108^th Ave, Omaha, NE 68154) on Friday, July 14^th (7-14-23) with visitation starting 9:30-10:15 and services beginning at 10:30. Interment 2:30 PM at Omaha National Cemetery.

Memorial can be made to the Open Door Mission, Gideons International, or Samaritan's Purse.