Larry Ritsert

I am a big believer in the power of music, especially the power of music in community. My own journey began in 4th grade band. I still have friends I talk to regularly from that grade school band experience. My instrument was trumpet and I continued to play through two years of college. I earned a degree in Secondary Ed from the University of Illinois in Urbana and went on to teach 6th grade in downstate Illinois. After one year, I moved back to Chicago to assist in running a family business. During that time I earned a Masters Degree in Management (now an MBA) from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management. After 23 years, we sold our business, Econo-Car Rent-a Car, to Enterprise Rent-a-Car. In 1998, I took a position with The Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois (TRS) running their counseling center in Lisle, Illinois. I retired from that position in 2017.

I first moved to Oak Park in 1977 and, aside from 3 years in Chicago, have lived here ever since. I was blessed with a son and step daughter, both of whom played in the band at OPRF. While working, I tried to stay involved in their activities and probably spent the most time and effort with my son’s youth baseball teams. I have a fair amount of board experience. Years ago, I was on Chicago Opera Theater’s Junior Board and I also spent a decade or more on a trade organization’s (CATRALA or the car and truck rental and leasing association) board, including two as president. More recently, I served 2 six year stints on the Heritage Chorale (a local community choir, look for us at Day in Our Village!) board, including 4 as president and 6 as vice president. For the last 5 years, I have also served on the board of the Nielsen Chorale in Rockford, IL.