“Ritchie” Case, 91, who passed on April 28, 2020, was a stand-up comic with various routines depending upon his audiences as he traveled through Europe and the U.S. He met the Host Properties Director and was asked to design “the Cabaret”, in which every star would want to perform because it was built with an entertainer’s eye, including the visual and audio perspectives. Ritchie fell in love with Lancaster and turned the designing job into a career of over 20 years as the Director of Entertainment for all of the Host Properties. Lancaster County residents and tourists were treated to performances by Joan Rivers, Red Buttons, Bette Midler, Freddie Prinze, Robert Goulet, Rupert Holmes, Ben Vereen, David Brenner, Shawn Elliott, a Carlos Montoya concert, an Emmett Kelly circus onstage, an Edward Villella ballet and a Folies French Revue, to name a few. As Master of Ceremonies for many years, he brought the Host stars to perform at the Long’s Park Amphitheater, which turned into the Labor Day Craft & Music, 3-day weekend.
Ritchie volunteered as a newspaper reader for the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and narrated shows for the blind at the Fulton Theater.
Ritchie was the beloved husband of Valerie G. Case for over 42 years and they shared their happy lives with numerous dogs and rescued cats in their Conestoga and Willow Street homes. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date given the pandemic. Donations could be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to another charity of your choice. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit: www.CremationLancasterPA.com
Cremation Services of Lancaster (717) 273-6283
Oh, Valarie, I am so sorry to hear about this and even sorrier that I didn’t hear sooner. You and Ritchie were always special people in my life. Ritchie brought joy to so many.
Dear Valerie, my deepest sympathies on your loss of Ritchie. I only knew him a short while before I left the area. I would love to catch up with you after the Covid 19 ceases to be an issue. Please email me. Take care
I have known Ritchie Case for over 40 years…met him at the Host where I worked for him as his Secretary….right out of college…He was the most unique person that I ever met….I have been good friends with Valerie for over 45 years…..have seen Ritchie over the holidays for the past 10 years…even at his worst he looked at me and smiled….brought back so many memories for both of us….January 2020 was the last time I saw him and I am so glad I did…
Rest in peace Ritchie…you will always be apart of my lfe
Dear Valerie,
So, so sad to read that Ritchie is no longer with us. He was my entertainment mentor. So many memories from our years at the Host. My life was totally enriched by knowing and working for Ritchie. He was so very lucky to have lived his life with you. He will be a huge part of my life forever.
Valerie, I am very sorry for your loss of Ritchie and just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you.
Dear Valerie and family,
I was a stagehand ‘back in the day’, mostly follow spot, for most of the shows mentioned in his obituary. Richie was a terrific supervisor to work with. He looked out for his crew. It was one of the best times of my life. ” Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” I am sad that Richie has passed but grateful that I knew him.
I am so sorry to read of Ritchie’s passing, and I know your heart must be heavy. My thoughts are with you. May the happy memories you shared bring you peace and closure.
Don Spence
Condolences, Valerie,
Ritchie was a special guy, and doing lights and sound for him in the Caberet and the Den is one of my fondest memories of the 70’s. May he rest in peace and may there be butterflies in heaven.
John Perlis
Condolences to the Case family! Ritchie was indeed a flamboyant energy in the midst of Amish country. He brought to Lancaster some great acts that I would never have seen were it not for him. He was extremely attentive to the needs of his entertainers, and I can especially remember Joan Rivers’ requirement for two bottles of “Mateus Rose” to be in her dressing room, and Ritchie following up to make sure it was so! One memory of many. RIP, Ritchie!
Condolences. Many of us from the Host Farm & Corral fondly remember Richie’s humor, vibrancy, energy and talents in making The Cabaret the showplace for The Famous to come to Lancaster County back in the day. Many great memories of Richie and the many great entertainers that made the resort Famous by Richie seven nights a week. Rest in Peace Richie.
Very sorry for your loss. Always a treat to visit over the years.
May you find comfort in your fur-babies. Know he loved you with
all his heart. Cherish the many memories you had with Ritchie.
Love you,
Jackie ~
Valerie, May your sorrows be softened by the cherished memories that you will forever hold close to your heart ❤️
Love you My Dear Friend
Barbara Jo