Hermann Josef Ritzenhoff

Hermann Josef Ritzenhoff passed away on April 8, 2022, at the age of 96. He lived in Farmington with his partner, Brigitte Ernst. In the very last period of his life, Brigitte and his caretaker Linda Afrakomah, accompanied him with much love and compassion.

Hermann was born into a large entrepreneurial family with five siblings in 1925 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. To be exposed to the war as a 17-year-old, made him search for meaning in life, and he started to connect to the cradle of western culture: the philosophy of the old Greeks, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, integrated by St. Thomas Aquinas into the Christian faith. It became a lifelong inspiration. The German Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper, a St.Thomas Aquinas expert, became Hermann's spiritual and philosophical teacher for life. Philosophy and faith fed into his belief that the world is good in its core. Hermann’s love of art and nature was a further invitation to contemplate life.

Hermann studied economics and business administration at the University of Cologne, Germany. Then, at the age of 27, he invested start-up capital from his father in the manufacturing company Seidel in Marburg, Germany. He successfully developed it to become a strong international player in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, now run by his son Andreas. Eventually, he relocated from Marburg, Germany, to Waterbury, Connecticut, to start a second manufacturing company with his oldest son, Michael. Today, both Seidel companies together employ almost 900 people. As an entrepreneur with business ventures around the globe, Hermann cared deeply about people generally and took a special interest in his employees. He ensured that they were treated well and fostered their personal and professional growth.

Hermann Ritzenhoff was an open-minded and cosmopolitan man with a big heart. He was very charismatic, loved to encounter people, felt inspired by the exchange of ideas; Hermann discussed a great variety of topics while enjoying a glass of good wine. He typically introduced himself with "I'm Hermann, the German" while having a charming and mischievous smile in his eyes. Hermann enjoyed his big family. With his wife Gisela, who predeceased him, he had seven children, living now in Germany, the Czech Republic, the USA and New Zealand. He had 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Meeting Brigitte Ernst, he found a new love in his life, and treasured the happy years they lived together.

A Mass will be held on April 18, 2022, at 10 a.m. at Saint Patrick's Church, 110 Main Street, in Farmington, Connecticut.  In lieu of flowers, we would appreciate a donation in the name of Hermann Ritzenhoff to the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist , 405 Allen Avenue, Meriden, Connecticut 06451.  Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, New Britain is in charge of arrangements.