- Date Of Birth: October 3, 1928
- Date Of Death: August 17, 2015
- State: Colorado
Eugene ‘Gene’ Ritchey
October 3, 1928 – August 17, 2015
The adored husband, father, grandfather, cattlemen, friend and true innovator, Gene Ritchey, passed away, August 17, 2015 at the age of 86.
He was born in Brighton, CO on October 3, 1928 to Phinace and Clara (Heitman) Ritchey. He married Naomi Jo Heneger on April 3, 1960 in Brighton; together they raised three children. Gene grew up in Brighton and attended Independence School and graduated from Brighton High School in 1947 and went on to attend Colorado A&M. After attending college, Gene served in the Air National Guard from 1949-1952, and like his personality dictated, he bravely volunteered to walk ‘ground zero’ of Yucca Flats, AZ for the testing of an A-bomb detonation in the sky above him.
After serving our Country, Gene returned home and worked on the family dairy. In 1964 Gene invented the Ritchey Cattle Ear Tag, one of the first tags that made it possible for individual livestock identification. That same year, Gene and his wife Jo, founded Ritchey Livestock ID and continued to develop innovative products that lead the industry still today. Gene stayed active in the family business his entire life.
Over the years, the agricultural industry has recognized Gene’s pioneering spirit and honored him with numerous awards and accolades. In 1989, Beef Magazine honored him as one of 25 people ‘Who Made a Difference’ in the cattle industry. Another 25 years later, Beef Magazine honored Gene again in their 50th anniversary issue as a continued industry leader.
