Robert {Bob} Ritchard was born in Arncliffe 1936.
He spent much of his youth visiting his grandparents at Bexley and playing there with his brother while riding around the area on his bike.
He attended Kingsgrove primary school, and the senior education was completed at Sydney Technical High School.
In 1956 he was called up to do his duty with the National Service Call up or “Nashos”.
Spent most of this time at Holdsworthy doing this training.
After graduating with excellent results, Bob tried studying Architecture.
Later on saying it just was NOT for him.
So on he went to Law, which was also not his passion .
Third try, was of course, Teaching.
He applied to the “Territories ” department, with a view of teaching in New Guinea .
Bob spent his 21st. birthday at Bathurst Teachers college.
He then went onto completing his studies at Balmain.
In 1959, he finally got to New Guinea where he taught for two years.
Rabaul and Goroka were two of his appointments.
Christmas 1960 he was home and got his first teaching job in Kieu, Eden.
There he met Joan his wife and stayed there until they built their home in Kirrawee in 1962.
Bob studied Commerce at the University of NSW while also obtaining a teaching job in the Sutherland shire. He went on to become Head Teacher, Social Science at St. George Girls High school in 1979.
Bob retired from St George Girls High in December 1996.
