Jeffrey Ritsert, 25, of Oak Park, took his own life in the early hours of Aug. 24, 2017. The depression he fought from childhood became more than he could bear. Born on May 9, 1992 in Oak Park, he attended Grace Lutheran School in River Forest, demonstrating during his years there an amazing aptitude for door-to-door sales during the annual Cub Scout popcorn drives. He graduated in 2010 from Oak Park and River Forest High School where he excelled in musical theater and ignoring homework. During high school, he sang with the Madrigal Choir of Grace Episcopal Church, loving the music and the friends he made there.
Jeff attended Knox College in Galesburg. A true comfort-seeker, he placed cheap flip-flops under bushes all over campus so he could go barefoot as much as possible, snagging a pair only when he was required to go indoors for class or meals.
In 2014, Jeff and good friends from Knox College moved to a shared home in Redmond, Washington, where they produced a monthly-or-so podcast on gaming (volcanobakemeat.wordpress.com) and were selected to present at the 2017 Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle. He worked as a waiter at a British pub and took classes at Bellevue College.
Across the years, in both Oak Park and Redmond, his family, friends, and co-workers were regularly traumatized by his cheerful, never-ending, and atrociously unsuccessful quest to perfect an English accent.
How can a few words sum up a life? Jeff was full of laughter and kindness. He was smart and funny and game for any adventure. Those of us who knew and loved him are left with emptiness and pain. At the same time, we are grateful for the wonderful memories we have of him and thankful that he is no longer suffering. Rest in peace, Jeffrey. The kindness that flowed from your gentle heart truly changed the lives of those who knew you.
Jeffrey Ritsert is survived by his parents, Larry Ritsert and Elaine Pierce; and his sister, Trinity Pierce. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake St.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity or to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (development@afsp.org or 1-888-333-AFSP, rated 90/100 by Charity Navigator).
