Obituary of Marc Edward Ritsema

Dr. Marc Edward Ritsema, 74, of Colts Neck, NJ passed away on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI, and his career as a physician took him from Michigan to New Mexico to Massachusetts before settling in Milwaukee, WI to raise his daughters as a single parent. Beloved father of Mieka Ritsema (m. Ashok Reddy) and Molly Ritsema (m. Peter Howley) of Albuquerque NM, he was a doting grandfather to Simone Kota Reddy and Serena Ritsema Howley. He is also survived by his brother Jeff Ritsema (m. Beth) and his sister Mary Ritsema. He was pre-deceased by his parents Martha and John Ritsema.

Dr. Ritsema completed his psychiatry residency in 1978 at the University of New Mexico. In private practice throughout his career, he also was on the clinical faculty of the University of Wisconsin Medical School and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He completed further training with a Child Psychiatry Fellowship at UNM in 1998, and he took great pride in caring for children. When he moved to Colts Neck, NJ, he loved the proximity to NYC for its classical music, theater, opera, art, and baseball. He also enjoyed traveling. His last year was spent watching the birds and deer in his backyard with his dear friend Yukie Toki and dog Fred.

All arrangements are private and under the direction of the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Freehold Township. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Dr. Ritsema’s name may be made to the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (www.myso.org), where his daughters played oboe and cello. For information or to leave condolence messages for the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com