Donald “Chief” R. Ritchie

COBB - Donald “Chief” R. Ritchie, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday October 27, 2025, at Crestridge Assisted Living in Dodgeville. He was born on April 10, 1934, in Cobb, WI, the son of James “Pete” and Lucille (Ward) Ritchie.

Don graduated from Cobb High School in 1952. He was united in marriage to Bonnie Leix in 1954. Together they raised three children until choosing to go their separate ways in 1995. In 1961 Don and Bonnie started Ritchie Motors. They received many honors for their accomplishments, even being acknowledged as a top 100 Allis- Chalmers dealership in the United States. They expanded the business in 1988 by purchasing the local Case IH Dealership in Highland, WI.  They were true entrepreneurs.

Through his life, Don demonstrated a very strong commitment to the Village of Cobb. Of course, not everybody always agreed with him, and he maybe ruffled a few feathers, but he always had Cobb’s best interest at heart.  He served as Cobb Fire Chief for 51 years, making him the longest standing volunteer fire chief in the state of Wisconsin. He was also instrumental in organizing the Cobb First Responders.  He was the Cobb Village President from 1971-1991 and sat as Village Trustee from 1996-2024.  He and Roger Fingerson were co-founders of the Cobb Corn Boil, making it one of the best small-town festivals in the area.  Don served on the board of the Cobb State Bank and continued to sit on the board when Royal Bank took over.  He was a member of the Cobb United Methodist Church.  Don later purchased the Cobb School, which he refurbished for others to enjoy.  He also owned and operated Chief’s Firehaus bar/restaurant in Cobb for several years.

In his later years, he enjoyed gardening, canning pickles, tomatoes and salsa. His specialty was deep frying our Thanksgiving turkey; it just won’t be the same without him.   He also enjoyed going out with friends for frog legs and turtle and socializing with old friends at local establishments.

Don is survived by his three children: Ronald (Kelly) Ritchie, Jon (Carrie) Ritchie both of Cobb, and Connie (Frank) Hallada of Dodgeville.  Six grandchildren: Chelsie (Nick) Klaas, Tony (Holly) Ritchie, Carsen (Stevie) Erickson, Kaitlin (Jake) Solomon, Logan (Fiancé Callie) Ritchie, Haley Hallada and husband (Ben Shklyar), and 12 Great-Grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister Carrolynn Merrell of Harpursville, NY, sister and brother-in-law Lois Jean (LaVerne) Clifton of Montfort, several nieces and nephews, many special friends, neighbors and his favorite furry companion, Lucy II.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, ex-wife Bonnie Ritchie, brother and sister-in-law Richard (Mayme) Ritchie, father and mother-in-law Milton (Fern) Leix, and sister and brother-in-law Eileen (Roger) Fingerson.