Andris Ivars "Andy" Ritums' Obituary
ANDRIS IVARS RITUMS "Andy", 88, of Clearwater, FL, was called to his eternal home on Feb. 19, 2024. He leaves behind his wife of 59 years (Mara L.); two sons (Andris E. and Viktors E.); one daughter (Aleksandra M.); four grandchildren; and his sister, Aija Norbergs, and her family.
By profession, he was a businessman – an “internationalist.” He held a B.S. in economics from Temple University, and had also taken courses at the Wharton School and at the Univ. of Oklahoma (while completing his military service at Fort Sill).
He started his career at the U.S. Pipe & Foundry Co., initially working in its New Jersey and New York City sales offices. After being appointed General Sales Manager for its New England district, Andris became instrumental in orienting the company toward foreign markets and in creating an “export sales” division. In the meantime, negotiations were already in progress for the acquisition of U.S. Pipe by Jim Walter Industries, headquartered in Tampa, Fl. Andris was offered the position of General Manager of what would become “Jim Walter International,” incorporated in 1984, and on its way to becoming a major trading company. He accepted.
Andris was active at the local business level as well. The Tampa Bay International Trade Council (TBIC) nominated him as its “1991 Businessman of the Year.” He became the Council’s chairman 3 years later.
Because of his Latvian heritage (Andris was born in Riga, Latvia), he was also actively involved in Latvian-American organizations in the U.S., starting with the presidency of its youth group, later serving a term as vice president of the American Latvian Assoc. (ALA), working for a while at the Voice of America to assist on broadcasts in the Latvian language, and particularly, and especially after moving to Florida, undertaking a succession of roles and duties on behalf of the Latvian Association of St. Petersburg & vicinity.
Sharing a Latvian heritage also generally means sharing a love of vocal music – of singing. Although small in size, Latvia is known for its periodic song and dance festivals at which it is not the public that is counted in the thousands, but the performers themselves! Andris was blessed with a resonant baritone and very much enjoyed group singing - whether in a choir, or in a social setting. He was already well into middle age when he decided to also start voice lessons! They gave him the courage to venture into some solo repertoire and even performance.
A man of true faith, Andris was active in the Latvian Lutheran Congregation of St. Petersburg. In addition to holding positions on the church council, he also studied to become a lay pastor and led services when the pastor was unavailable.
By his departure, Andris takes with him a genuine love of people, a quick wit and sense of humor, and a zest for life, despite its hardships and vicissitudes.
A Memorial Service for Andy will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 2pm, in the Faith Lutheran Church, 2601 49th St. St. Petersburg FL.
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