He's gone (passed away). His wife called before noon, eastern time. March 18, 2010.

I think he would have liked to dedicate the following to his new bride: Neil Young - Harvest Moon

Really?? is that true?
at least , if so , he at least got to take his cruise....but poor new wife! Is she going to be stuck with his parts businnes?

RIP Terry, you`ll be missed!

Terry's a smart man. How many of us are going to take all those cruises while we can. D a m n, I am gonna miss him.

Can someone please head up an effort to help his family out? Preferably someone local?

If it's true, then it's a sad day for us all.

I feel so bad for his new wife. How does a broken leg kill someone? I will gladly donate to a memorial. He was very nice to me.

NO F'ing way!!!!!!!! What happened????

Very sorry to hear this, and my condolences to his new wife.
Rest in peace.

OMG! I am stunned.

I'm with Seth - what happened?????????

Speechless...just speechless.

This is a sad day for all.

I would really like to get some confirmation of this. I don't know the thread starter idreamofthe60s.

I'm floored!!! I never had the chance to meet him, but I've always enjoyed reading his posts and talking to him about parts I needed. Rest in peace Terry, and if this isn't true I hope you are resting in peace in a comfortable reclining chair on some cruise ship

Is this for real or a bad joke? How does a broken leg turn into passing away. I'm shocked and speechless.. can anyone confirm this? If this is true I will be very sad... Terry is a great guy.

What?? who has the straight goods?....did he have a blood clot or something....That's terrible!!

Where's Ruffnut, he may know....

If this is the early line-up for an April´s Fools Day joke, I'm not amused... But given the nature of the message, I cannot imagine it is a joke.

Shocked. My sincere condolences to all his loved ones..

Very weird post though...

This better not be a joke because it is in the poorest taste I have ever seen in my life.

Horrible news if it's true.

Just to clarify - There is no joke in the post.

That is horrible. So what are the details???

Rest in peace, Terry. You will be missed by many who only knew you as 69firebirdman.

I think we should declare today as a forum-wide holiday in memory of Terry.

Something's fishy here... I dont know the poster and nothing stated he died... just that "he's gone"... is he gone from the hospital to go home?
Also that "there is no joke in the post"... true... I dont see any jokes.
Not enough detail and I'm not going to jump to conclusions.

I dont know poster either , but after hearing how bad he was doing ,and knowing Terrys past medical history, I would not think its a hoax, but the truth....him being " gone ", I take it as dead.

It is surreal. Has anyone tried to call him?

I`ve had a pm from the poster, saying its true, but no details , in respect of the family...he`s a close friend from S Fla.

the posters first post has been edited some to this

I am sorry to hear Terry has left us. My sincere condolences to his wife,all his loved ones.

This is very, very sad news.

I was talking shop with him a few weeks ago and then sent him a PM that said, "I know you're on vacation now and hope you're enjoying the cruise. Contact me when you're back." I wanted to pick up our conversation from where we left off.

Just goes to show how precious and unpredictable life really is. He was a good friend and will be greatly missed.

This is unbelievable.

e-.6584 bj0tk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVC2cszdTao

Terry's last post. I remember seeing that.

i am very sorry to hear this news. my condolences to his wife. farewell terry a firebird member that will be missed .

WOW, I just logged on for the first time today, I can not beleive this! I did try calling him last week and did not get an answer. I've had the pleasure of visiting him a few times as he lived only 4 hours south of me. I feel so bad about this...

The night before I began parting the Firebird out, he called me and talked for alomst 2 hours. He did not want me to part the car out, offered to send me parts that I needed and that he had and wasn't going to charge me for them just to help me out. This is the kind of guy Terry was. This is truly a sad day for this site and all it's users...

It truly is...I would often PM him when I was building my car and he would call me instead just to chat, and he could...for hours!! Always a big help...

Holy cr@p, never expected that.
Maybe someone could start a collection to send flowers, or something...

Does anyone know his wife's first name? I'd like to call her tomorrow but would like to atleast know her name...

hey everybody, this is christina ritter terry's wife. i appreciate all of your comments on this forum about my husband. it is good to know he has good friends that care so much.

I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR THIS BAD NEWS. was it an infection or something?

I suggest we dedicate the planned summer national FGF get-together in Terry's honor.

Christina - our prayers are with you.

pneumonia took over his body and his organs shut down and heart stopped beating.

Christina, I was/ am truly sorry to hear of your loss.

Terry was always a big part of this site. His presence will be truly missed by many people here. He was always trying to help those in our hobby/ obsession.

May he rest in peace.

Tim

my prayers are with you, and i am sorry to hear this of terry. i am sorry for your loss.

Well said catalina! R.I.P. our friend, Terry Ritter...

We are deeply sorry for your loss. Terry will be missed by all of us. You have our heart-felt condolences.

Rest in Peace Terry. We will miss you!! So sorry to hear that Christina, We are here to help if needed!

terry was a good friend... i talked to him atleast a couple times a week, he always joke i knew when he was in the bathroom or going to eat cause it would never fail thats when i would call. i liked hearing from him when he was taking zues for a walk or playing darts at the pub. i'm very sorry for your lose christina and will miss terry like looseing a brother.

i always joked to him i was going to put a 455 4 speed in his old car but i think now i'll just keep it the way it was..

i'll miss you bro...rip

I've only dealt with Terry a few times over the years but instantly knew him as a good man who like many of us was passionate about our hobby. He was always willing to help a fellow enthusiast and he will be missed by all. Please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family Christina.

God Bless

Brent Block

He was a valuable contribution to the discussions on this forum and went way before his time.

RIP Terry

I traded parts with terry back and forth over the years, received several from him that he would not charge me for. Didn't talk as much as in years past, wish I would have stayed in contact more now.
I always considered him a friend and will miss him.

I am sorry to hear of Terry's passing.. health is truly the greatest gift of all.

Christina please know you have a community here to help if needed.

May you find peace in the days to come.

RIP Terry. You were a big part of the FGF community...

Wow.. I, like most of the people on this forum, spent time doing business with Terry, and yes, chatting away for hours about the birds, and trying to save them vs parting them out.

Terry had a real passion for restoring cars, and was always gracious in inviting people who would visit his fine state to swing by and visit him at his shop/business.

...My sincerest sympathy to Christina, and all of Terrys family, including those here that are also suffering from this loss.

Christina, I too am very sorry for your loss of Terry, and I was also a good friend of his...spoke often on the phone with him and as many have said , once you had Terry on the phone it usually became a long call, he liked talking Firebirds...
I even recall one time as we were talking while he was rummaging thru his collection os stainless trim pieces in the attic, stuff he wouldnt sell( because they were scuffed), for a friend of mine that had one missing....

Our conversations became long.....but enjoyable.

again he will be sorely missed by most everyone here on the Forum

Wow, not quite sure what to say other than I'm very sorry for your loss. He was a great member of the FGF community!

I don't know what else to say that hasn't been said already. Sorry for your loss and may he rest in peace. he is in a better place.

Ed

I was in disbelief yesterday about the whole thing but when it was confirmed it made me sad. Never met him but after several years on here joking around with him and holding up for him a time or two, it seemed like he was a very nice guy. Gone but not forgotten.

I have been holding off for a long time thinking this was just a bad joke. I'm really sorry for your loss. I did get the chance to talk to Terry a few times on the phone and they were not short conversations. He sure did like his Firebirds.

Prayers to Terry's family.

Terry will be remembered and missed always. This is such sad news.

RIP friend.

Rest in peace Terry. So many people have lost a dear friend and counterpart in Terry.

I love this idea... If they give an award for the best car in the show, maybe whoever is organizing it would be open to calling it the "Ritter award for excellence". I would be open to helping with purchasing a cup style trophy for the winner. Maybe like the Stanley Cup it could be passed along each year. Maybe Terry could be awarded the trophy the first year even.

I contacted the group organizing the CanonBirdrun....they will do something...

My condolences

Wow!!! I've always had great dealings with Terry. This is horrible news.

This site will miss you Terry. Christina, my prayers are with you and your family. I'm very sorry for your loss.

Is anyone getting a collection up for flowers or something? I definately want to kick in.

Part from Terry are in my Bird, so I guess I'll always have a piece of him in my Bird.

Like so many others, I wanted to believe this was a prank of horrible proportions. Even knowing he wasn't doing well, I just did not want to believe it. I spent the day, trying to wrap my head around it.

Gladly, he spent the last couple years traveling and experiencing life. He played an important part in the FGF community, and his passion for the mark will continue to inspire us all. He will be missed.

My prayers go out to his family and close friends. Cruise on, Terry.

I just read the bad news. Unbelievable. Terry was one of the good ones. I, like PJ and most of us, have Terry's parts running around in my bird. It feels a bit like a transplanted organ now that he's gone. I'm glad to have called Terry my friend for all these years and I will sorely miss him. This is a very sad day indeed.

Chistina you have my heartfelt condolences and please pass them
on to any other family Terry might have had.

I'm definitely bummed.

That is sad. I will alway remember talking to Terry way to long on the phone. Terry liked to talk and I will miss him and the person that he was. I hope that he can feel the love that we all have for him right now..............

I'm going to miss Terry. I never made it down to visit with him in person but on the phone and swapping parts he was always great to talk to.

My condolences.

wow I am so sorry to hear this I saw this post a few days ago but did not open it thinking someone was joking around this is sad

The gentleman whom purchased our Firebird had just ordered stuff from Terry last week. Although he doesn't know Terry as well as most of us, he feels really bad about this and was shocked like the rest of us...

Never had the pleasure to meet Terry, wish I had reading all the posts. He was always the first one to respond anytime I posted here. In honor of Terry, let's all try and get our cars out this weekend. Wow, another reminder of how short and precious our time here is.

The Firebird community lost a good man, as well as the rest of the world. Terry is in my thoughts & prayers.


Steve

Christina, down the road, in the event you need help identifying parts etc. please do not hesitate to ask this group. I don't think anyone on this site would ever take advantage of your or Terry for that matter.

In fact, if you need help in the future I'd be willing to make the trip down there (I am only 4 hours north) to help identify parts etc. I would have no motive as I no longer own a Bird, but would do so knowing it would help you and in some way helping Terry as he has done for so many of us. I will PM you my name, address and phone number in the event you need anything at all.

I am in with Joe...have 3 weeks in August..

the one thing i remember about terry besides the long talks on the phone, endless time consulting and advice he offered was he always joked. the joke he would always say the most is how we would be parted out after he was gone. dont think that will happen but i think he would enjoy knowing he help so many of us with our cars and know that we will continue to enjoy them now that he has passed. he was a great guy and will be sorely missed.

also i'm not trying to jump ahead of things but im with the others. if you need help with the cars or parts im sure we as a group could/would help you in any way we can CHRIS!! god bless and may he REST IN PEACE!!

you are not gong to Estes Park for the FGF meet?

I'm stunned. I have not been on the site is a while. I talked to Terry on the phone many times about cars, guns, politics.... A great person to have known. I remember talking to him a while back, he had mentioned he was from the Central NY area. I asked him if he every needed anything to let me know. He paused for a second and said I really miss these hot dogs that can only be found in Rochester. So, I told him next time I was out that way I would get him some. I'm happy I was able to do that for him. Anytime I called him looking for a part he would find it for me. I will miss Terry, Rest In Peace. My condolences to his wife and family.

Must have been Sahlens hotdogs. I am from Buffalo and they are well known up there, by far the best you'll ever have. I did not realize Terry was from up that way, it never came up in our Bird conversations.

Did business with Terry only a few times. Lengthy conversations. He will be missed. My deepest sympathies.

I only talked with him once over the phone, I just wish I would have had the time to get to know him better.. The few parts that I bought from him, that he touched, will be a memorable part of my car.... My condolences to his wife and family... Terry,, You Will Be Missed...

My condolences.

Just reading this thread now, very sad. I did get to do some business and talk to Terry on the phone last year. My condolences to his wife and family. Rest in peace Terry.

I sure hope god does not drive a Camaro.. He'll send Terry back!!!! Love ya Terry......

My condolences,Christina. I just got back from a 10 day vacation and couldn't believe what i was reading.I bought a few parts from Terry over the last few years,great guy! R.I.P.

Terrible loss. Our prayers are with the family. God speed Terry.

Terry In 69 TA

god bless his family

Yes a very sad day indeed..
I heard from his wife he fell and broke his hip ice skating!
after the opperation he was doing good till he got an infection then it got out of control and he couldn't recover.
I had sent and recieved business from terry over the years and got to know him but never met him in person! I will miss him as will everyone here i am sure!!
I would love to have his collection but It would be very hard to get to arizona! Hope some will be able to help her out and not just loose it all to lot owners.
Rest in peace Terry..

Bill Speer

hi every one jody here... just saying hello to you all.. i spoke with terry up untill the morning he went in to the coma. i just cant express how very much you all meant to him. i havebeen helping his sisters with so much. they didnt know were a lot of his hinancial buisness was or other things. its so hard to know he is gone i didnt get to go and say good bye as i live in conneticut now but i will be attending the funeral in new york. his sisters and i have stayed in contact even terry and i stayed in contact..... i just would like to say i know he love you all so very very much...........

jody

rip Terry. I'm stunned, a good man for sure.

I've been away for a few weeks...

OUCH!

God bless Terry.

Darn, I hate to come back after a short leave and hear of news like this. Terry helped me out quite often, and it was always a pleasure doing business with him. We didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but I admired him for his candor and humor. God rest Terry, you old rascal. My prayer will will be spinning for his family.

Same here! Glad he got to CRUISE, R.I.P. Terry

I just became aware of this after reading a few posts where they said things like " We wish we could ask Terry." So I did some looking and I see he passed away so unexpectedly. I dealt with him once where he actually contacted me to buy a part he needed. He was very nice and very helpful and informative. He offered a price and I said 'sure.' he sent a check right out and I had no qualms about accepting since he had a pristine rep.

The name 'Ritter' means 'Knight' in German. Terry was the KNIGHT of the Firebird for sure! God bless you man, and best wishes and condolences to the survivors in his family. )-:


Joe

I have been busy with other things lately and haven't logged onto this site for a couple of weeks and WOW! what a shocker! Terry was such a big contributer to this site and to the Firebird hobby in general. I never had direct contact with him but I still feel like I knew him. He will be missed. My condolances to his family and friends.

I can't believe he is gone. He was such a kind considerate person. He helped me a number of times with my car. He was always willing to help. We talked on the phone just this January on some parts. It just doesn't make sense. My condolences to the family.

Terry was a good man to do business with. I just found out about this because I was going to see if he had a posi unit for my car. What sad news. My condolences to his family.

Terry hope your in heaven. Where there is always a warm breeze blowing, the AW stand is open year round, guys like you all drive 69 T/A's and you get tickets for NOT street racing.

See you when we get there.

Turk

People do things in line of their passion. Terry was an expert at doing those things. He will be missed as an enthusiast, an expert and a person. God be with you Terry; Rest In Peace.

I never spoke with Terry but read his advice often and learned from it. I will miss him along with everyone.

Chad

Wow, i'm totally blown away! My condolences

I have not been here on FGF for some time and had some time and swung by and this just hit me like a ton of bricks. Wow, mind blown

RIP Terry

David

Sorry, I thought your departure date was the 20th. I miss you man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_sLu7sUbJI

Just sold my cammer to a guy in Sweden last week... I actually took two of his cards and put them in a car I finished in July.. all my birds have his business cards in the glove box. He was a genuine friend, grumpy at times but we always met for dinner in Fll, he did like Ernies.....Ron

The countless hours upon hours Terry and I spoke on the phone after publicly (and mutually) disliking each other for years prior.

A true gem, an irascible bastard and a genius to all.