Charles Ritchie, obstetrician

Charles A. Ritchie, 87, of Drexel Hill, an obstetrician who delivered hundreds of babies and enjoyed being reminded of that when they grew up, died Saturday, March 9, of an infection at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Dr. Ritchie was well-known in Philadelphia and Delaware County for his longtime practice of obstetrics and gynecology. In 2002, he was honored for 50 years of distinguished service by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Delaware County Medical Society.

He had staff privileges at St. Vincent's Hospital in Southwest Philadelphia, Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby Borough, and Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill.

He and partner John Lenahan maintained a medical practice on Marshall Road in Upper Darby, and an office in the Drexelbrook Shopping Center in Drexel Hill. After Lenahan died, Dr. Ritchie operated a solo practice on Garrett Road.

He loved meeting the former babies he had ushered into the world.

"I had 20 friends of mine that would remind me my father had delivered them and their siblings. He took a lot of pride in that. I have a lot of friends whose children were delivered by him, too," said his son, Charles A. Jr.

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, he was the son of John C. Ritchie Jr., a doctor, and the former Josephine Small.

Dr. Ritchie graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1942. In 1943, he joined the Army and was honorably discharged in 1946. He graduated from St. Joseph University with a premedical degree in 1949, and earned his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952.

Dr. Ritchie interned at Misericordia Hospital and did his residency at Mercy Catholic Medical Center.

He married the former Margaret Mary Travascio of West Philadelphia on July 9, 1949. They met through a mutual friend and were together for 54 years before she died in 2003.

The two settled in Drexel Hill to raise a family and enjoyed summers in Sea Isle City, N.J.

Dr. Ritchie enjoyed sailing, gardening, and golf, and was a longtime member of the Llanerch Country Club.

Surviving, in addition to his son, are daughters Kathleen Watt, Susan Bolton, Barbara Ruht, Joan M., Margaret Miller, and Marianne Duffy; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers; and a sister.

A viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 15, at St. John Neumann Roman Catholic Church, 380 Highland Ave., Bryn Mawr. Interment will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Donations may be made to Feed the Children via www.feedthechildren.org.