KURT RUSSELL RITZHAUPT

Although diagnosed with Plasma Cell Leukemia several months prior, losing our irreplaceable Kurt Ritzhaupt Monday, November 24th was unexpected. Kurt was born November 25, 1972 to Janalee and Dieter Ritzhaupt at Piqua Memorial Hospital.

Though he made his living as a CNC programmer/patternmaker at CA Lawton in Minster, Ohio, his occupation did not define him. He was a maker by nature. Kurt’s time was spent doing what he loved with and for the people he loved. He was a talented, mostly self-taught, artist in a variety of mediums; most recently airbrush, pinstriping, and creating/painting miniatures. He was a drummer from the young age of 12 and made music in one format or another throughout his life. A skilled builder, he helped his mom with many projects on her land and made numerous beautiful, functional modifications to every home he occupied.

He is survived by his life long biggest fan and wife, Andrea Ritzhaupt. His three daughters, Zoe, Mara, and Nola, whom he inspired to fully embrace who they are and to do whatever they want with their lives. His loving mother, Janalee Ritzhaupt and siblings Erika Ritzhaupt of Piqua, Annette Moody, Fred (Georgette) Ritzhaupt, and Dr. Albert Ritzhaupt of Florida and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Dieter Ritzhaupt and daughter, Salla Quinn Ritzhaupt.

Kurt will be remembered by those who knew him as a funny, laidback, loyal, forgiving, and gifted man. We are thankful to be surrounded by the art, music and spaces he created. We are thankful to have had the gift of knowing and loving him. His absence will be forever felt.

A celebration of Kurt’s life will be held at a later date for friends and family. Funeral arrangements are being provided to the family through the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, we ask you to donate in Kurt’s memory to Habitat for Humanity 150 E. Race St. Troy, OH 45373, habitat.org; or the Miami County Animal Shelter 1110 N County Rd 25A Troy, OH 45373. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com

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