Have you seen Dave?

David Ritchie

This is Dave. In June 2001, Ben took a sales position at a precious metals company in Durango, Colorado. He was so good at his job selling newsletter subscriptions that about three months later, in September, he was promoted to an assistant broker position. Dave was the broker that Ben worked under. Dave is not only one of the sweetest men we’ve ever known; he was also a kind and generous boss, both with his money and his time. He was more than fair in terms of Ben’s commissions, and he always had his customers’ best interests at heart. It’s a tricky thing, putting someone in charge of your money, but I’d have trusted Dave with every penny of ours.

Dave encouraged Ben to put his wife first, to make his marriage more important than his job. In the beginning years of our marriage, I called Dave a few times to ask if it would be okay for me to take Ben out of the office for the day or for the afternoon – to surprise him with a date or whatever. Dave never let me finish my sentence. He always, ALWAYS interrupted me with, “Go! Tell him to get out of here!”

Oh, and Dave also took all of our wedding pictures. We got back from our honeymoon to find all of them – ALL of them – printed for us – 5×7, double prints at that – plus all the negatives. He refused to let us pay him. Wouldn’t take a dime. Called it his wedding gift to us. To this day, I have no idea how much wedding photographers cost, but I suspect it’s a whole lot more than free.

You guys, Dave is missing. About two weeks ago, he and his wife were on their way to the hospital. Dave had been experiencing some terrible psychological side effects of a new medication. When they stopped at a friend’s house on the way into town, Dave got out of the car and ran into the woods. Even though authorities and volunteers – our friends – have combed the area, there is no sign of Dave. He has no wallet, no ID, no cell phone. He could be anywhere.

Ben and I are heartbroken for Dave and for his family. I know that my circle of influence isn’t large, and I know that this post might not get anywhere, but I’m also not above begging: if you read this, would you be kind enough to pass it on in some way? Would you tweet it to your followers or share it on your Facebook page (you can use the links at the bottom of this post), or email it to a couple of people? Hitchhiking is common in that area; it is possible Dave doubled back and caught a ride with someone. Someone might know something. All we can do is ask.

Would you please help me ask?

Have you seen Dave?

David Bruce Ritchie is 59 years old, 5’7″ tall, and weighs 175 lbs. He has gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing khaki shorts, a green long-sleeved t-shirt that was torn in the front, tennis shoes, and a green baseball hat. He disappeared along Hwy 160 near the Archuleta-La Plata County line, one quarter mile east of Beaver Meadows Road.

If you have any information, you have several options for passing it on:

1. Call (970) 884-5280.
2. You can also text a tip to Archuleta County Crimestoppers by texting ACCST plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).
3. Or, submit a tip online by clicking here.

You can find more information on Facebook.