Walter E Ritchey, founder of Ritchey Truck Equipment, died March 12, 2007. He served with Wilcox Brothers Co for 31 years before establishing Ritchey Truck Equipment. After selling that business, he and John W Wells Sr, who had retired from Thiele Mfg, formed Ritchey & Wells Consulting Co. Ritchey was a 35-year member of the Truck Body and Equipment Association (TBEA) and its successor, the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA). In lieu of flowers, donations honoring his memory can be made to St Jude's Children's Hospital.