Mark Robert Ritzdorf

Mark was born on March 15, 1953, in Omaha to Robert H. and Alice M. Cooper Ritzdorf. He graduated from Creighton Prep High School in 1971. After high school, Mark enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in South Dakota. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Mark began his career with a gift that seemed to come naturally to him; working with clients with special needs. Before becoming an elementary school teacher, he worked with intellectually challenged clients at Martin Luther Home and ENCOR. Mark loved the people he worked with and treated each person with genuine kindness, patience, love, and respect. He took them places, shared experiences with them, and brought joy into their lives.

Mark later began his teaching career with Omaha Public Schools. After completing his student teaching at Sandoz Elementary in Millard, he went on to teach sixth grade at Beals and Castelar Elementary for many years. He was a teacher who cared deeply about his students and the difference he could make in their lives.

Mark was always interested in staying active and trying something new. He was passionate about health and healthy living and enjoyed working out, playing racquetball at UNO, and participating in basketball leagues with the “Dokes brothers.” He also worked part time at General Nutrition and loved playing backgammon with friends.

One of Mark’s greatest passions was movies. When the 20 Grand Theater opened, Mark took a part-time job as a projectionist, giving him the perfect opportunity to combine his love of movies with his natural curiosity about everything behind them. He saw virtually every movie that opened and could tell you about the actors, the music, and the details that others might have missed. He loved sharing that passion with his sons, Connor, Evan, and Jordan. When they were young, they would visit him at the theater, run around the building, and help him upstairs in the projection booths. His love of movies and music was passed on, especially to his son Connor.

In 1987, Mark married Mary, beginning the family chapter of his life. Together they welcomed three sons, Connor, Evan, and Jordan. He loved watching them play basketball and baseball and took pride in seeing each of them grow.

Mark was also a lifelong and devoted New York Yankees fan. During baseball season, there was rarely a game he missed. He loved watching his “Yanks” make their way to the World Series and never seemed to tire of following every season, player, and game.

Music was another lifelong love, and Bruce Springsteen held a special place in Mark’s heart. Mark saw Bruce perform at an intimate concert at the Civic Center Music Hall in Omaha before Springsteen became a household name. He remained a devoted fan and later saw him perform two more times in the area. His favorite albums were, naturally, Nebraska and Born to Run. Mark’s love of Springsteen even found its way into his family—he helped convince Mary to name one of their sons, Evan, after Bruce Springsteen’s son.

Those who knew Mark will remember much more than his many interests. They will remember his laugh—big, contagious, and impossible to miss. They will remember his friendliness, his lively spirit, his willingness to talk to anyone, and the way he could make people feel like old friends. Mark had a genuine warmth about him that drew people in. Many of his closest friendships began in his Creighton Prep days and lasted throughout his life.

Mark lived a life filled with friendship, music, movies, sports, and laughter. Most of all, he loved his three boys, his siblings and their families, his friends and extended family.

Mark is survived by his three sons, Connor (Mary) Ritzdorf, Evan Ritzdorf (Reanna Russell), and Jordan Ritzdorf, along with their mother, Dr. Mary Ritzdorf, all from Omaha, NE, his loving sister, Gail (Joe) Hickert from Colorado Springs, Colorado, his brother, Paul (Jessica) Ritzdorf of Arvada, CO, and his beautiful granddaughters, Genevieve, Lucy, and Martha Ritzdorf, as well as nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Lynn.

Mark will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

A private family interment will be at Westlawn-Hillcrest Cemetery, Omaha, NE. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.