Mr. Robert Herfort Ritchie

Herfort, as he was known, late of Gnangara Fold, Enniskillen, was born on July 31, 1925, and he would have been 90 years old in July.

A son of Robert Hill and Kathleen Elizabeth Ritchie, he grew up at Chanterhill House, Enniskillen, where St. Fanchea’s College is now located, and the family later moved to Albert Terrace, Enniskillen.

One in a family of seven, two sisters, Polly, South Africa, and Barbara, Enniskillen, survive him. He was predeceased by his siblings Cyril (Paddy), Dennis, Mary and Norma.

Herfort was educated at the Model School, Enniskillen, and Portora Royal School. When it came to sports, Herfort was very athletic and excelled at sport while at school. In addition to enjoying rugby, he won numerous medals for running, the long jump, high jump and cross country.

In 1953, he married his wife Joyce, whom he met at a friend’s party when she was three years old and he was five, and they moved to Cornwall for a time. When he left the RAF they moved back to Enniskillen and lived in Rossorry Church Road.

They had two children, Linda (Burke) and Jill (McAloon). Their four grandchildren are Russell, Jonathan, Bryony and Garry Burke.

In 1968, they finally settled in “Old Mill House,” Blaney, and Derrygonnelly became Herfort’s local socialising hub.

At 17 years of age Herfort joined the Dam Busters squadron 617 in the RAF, and rose up the ranks to Wireless Operator then Flying Officer. This was a part of his life of which he was immensely proud.

As a serving pilot his missions took him all over Europe, the Middle and Far East. Amongst other missions he participated in the airlift of Allies out of Berlin, and was a test pilot for the jet aircraft which were being introduced at that time.

Following the Air Force, Herfort took over his late father’s family business, The Fermanagh Times printing business, which was situated in Townhall Street, Enniskillen. He ran the enterprise for approximately 30 years until he retired.

In the following years he did some voluntary work for Citizens’ Advice, the Chest, Heart and Stroke Association, and taking people to appointments and on outings, and so on.

He was a keen member of Enniskillen Rotary, Round Table, and Masonic, and represented the RAF in several wreath laying services at the local cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.

Among his interests, Herfort enjoyed playing golf and bridge, and he liked fishing, especially deep sea fishing. When his family was young, they often received freshly caught mackerel for breakfast when they were on holiday at Rossnowlagh.

Herfort was a very keen and talented pool player, travelling the length and breadth of the country for competitions.

It was in Derrygonnelly that his interest in traditional Irish music increased and it was a source of pleasure for him that he had traditional musicians from Fermanagh on his doorstep. He often spoke of listening to Mick Hoy on the fiddle, and he always remembered Mick Hoy’s music.

He held a keen interest in watching boxing, and he delighted in watching nature programmes and he loved animals. He and Joyce had a shared interest in wild birds and nature.

He had also been an accomplished gardener and he kept an immaculate vegetable plot at his home in Blaney.

Doing the Daily Mail crossword was another interest of Herfort’s.

A man, who was well known for his sense of humour, he had a great way with words. He was compassionate and had a big heart, organising many charitable events.

Herfort was also very fair minded and he brought Linda and Jill up to have acceptance of all religious and political diversities. He was kind, highly principled and had great integrity.

Since Joyce’s death, his health had been declining. However his sense of humour still shone through from time to time.

The funeral service was held at Elliott’s Funeral Home, Enniskillen, led by Dean Kenneth Hall. Cremation followed at Roselawn Crematorium, Belfast.

Herfort will be sadly missed by all his extended family. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Burke and Jill McAloon; his four grandchildren, Russell, Jonathan, Bryony and Garry; and his two sisters Barbara and Polly.

The funeral arrangements were by S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen, to whom the family extends its gratitude.