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Edward Ritenour Obituary

Edward A. Ritenour, 1934-2024
Southfield Police Chief (Ret.) Edward Albert Ritenour, 90, of West Bloomfield and Southfield,
passed away December 27, 2024. Ed was born February 9, 1934 in Detroit to Edward E. and
Cassie (Hamrick) Ritenour.
Ed's family moved from Detroit to Southfield in 1943 where he grew up in a farmhouse on 11
Mile Road between Lahser and Telegraph. He joined the Michigan National Guard at age 16
(age exaggeration may have been involved) and, after graduating Berkley High School, joined
the Southfield (Township) Police Department in 1955 as its fifth member. In a couple of years
he rose to Detective Lieutenant and, in 1965, became the (now City of Southfield) department's
first Captain. In 1978 he became Southfield's third Chief of Police and served until his
retirement at the end of 1984.
Ed then became a private investigator (counting the Detroit Red Wings among his clients) and
for several years owned restaurants in Northville and Sterling Heights. He moved to West
Bloomfield in the 1990s where he lived the rest of his life. After selling the restaurants, Ed
busied himself with remodeling and landscaping his house and property while winding down his
investigation business.
"Chief", as his many friends called him, had many interests that he pursued with gusto. He rode
his beloved Harley-Davidson ElectraGlide all over the country. He traveled to Europe with his
daughter, Carey, in the 1980s and to England and Ireland with his nephew in the '90s. He
frequently drove to Texas to visit his brother Earl, his sister Dee, and his nephew Paul, and to
inspect his property there. A skilled harmonica player, for years he played a regular Friday night
gig at El Mariachi Restaurant in Novi with his close friend and professional guitarist, Jose
Riojas.
All of which gave Ed a library of stories and anecdotes he loved to share with friends and family,
and was a master joke-teller who kept everyone entertained. He like nothing better than to sit
outside with a group of friends and have a beer and a laugh, especially at his annual Memorial
Day cookouts.
Most of all, Ed was a kind, generous, and caring man. He would often give money or do favors
for those in need, even people he just met, and frequently forgave debts. He was loved, admired,
and respected by all whose hearts were in the right place.
Edward Ritenour is survived by his son, Michael (Angie) Ritenour and his grandchildren John
Ritenour (Mariah Gavin) and Elizabeth Ritenour. He was preceded in death by his daughter
Carey Ritenour Everhart, parents Edward and Cassie Ritenour, brother Earl Ritenour, and sisters
Dee Rimka and Edna Machine.
In accordance with Ed's wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held
on Saturday, January 25, 2025 with visitation at 10:00 and a service at 11:00 a.m. Please leave a
message of comfort on his guestbook at www.haleyfuneraldirectors.com. Memorial

Contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children at
https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en.