As a former Schaumburg Township trustee, Charles M. Ritz spent more than a decade working on municipal issues in suburban Hoffman Estates, including improving services for elderly and disabled people. Mr. Ritz, who was born in Blue Island, also was active in local zoning issues over the years. Mr. Ritz, a former member of the Hoffman Estates Zoning Board, died Thursday, June 1, at Sherman Hospital in Elgin. He was 71. A graduate of Leo High School in Chicago, Mr. Ritz served four years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, rising to the rank of sergeant. Following his military service, he returned to Chicago and for 37 years worked as a salesman at Ryser Brother Foods, a frozen foods distributor in Chicago. In 1978, Mr. Ritz served a term on the Hoffman Estates Zoning Board. A year later, he began serving as a township trustee, a position he held until 1993. “He was a great ambassador to our events,” recalled Gerry Bartnicke, director of disabled services for the township. “He would always find someone who didn’t have anyone to talk to and gravitate toward them.” Mr. Ritz also took on numerous other civic duties, including helping to organize the annual 4th of July parade in Hoffman Estates. He also volunteered at the annual picnic for the disabled. As a township trustee, he was the liaison for both the disabled and senior services departments and worked on employee benefit issues. “He worked hard with the department heads,” said Linda Wing, Schaumburg Township’s supervisor. “He took things very seriously, but he also had a great sense of humor.” Even after Mr. Ritz retired, he continued to volunteer his time at the township. Recently he went back to working full time and served as a loan processor at Harris Bank in Palatine. He also was active in the Schaumburg Township Republican Party. “He just loved to be with people,” said his daughter Debra Butz. “There were no strangers in his world.” Other survivors include his wife, Karen; a daughter, Dena Zell; two sons, Jason Nelson and Mark; his mother, Theresa; a brother, Arnold; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral Home, 330 W. Golf Rd., Schaumburg.
