Donald G. Tritt

Dr. Donald Gustav Tritt, Professor of Psychology at Denison University, died Wednesday, June 12, 2024, under the care of Hospice of Central Ohio in the Selma Markowitz Center, Newark, Ohio, surrounded by his family and close friend, at the age of 93.  He was born June 2, 1931, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Gustav and Ruth Tritt. Don graduated from West High School, earning his Eagle Scout with two palms and the Order of the Arrow.   He attended The Ohio State University for undergraduate work in the field of psychology and went on to The University of Chicago, where he received his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in clinical psychology.  Don was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn C. Tritt, and his brother, Paul Tritt. He was survived by his three children, Barbara Kitchen, Steve Tritt, and Jeff Tritt, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Don was the Director of Psychological Services and a teaching member of the Psychology department at Denison since 1959.  During his time there, he created classes in Theories of Personality, Cross-Cultural Psychology, and later, Health Psychology.  Don served a summer in the Peace Corps as a training officer for a project in Ecuador and Micronesia.

Don was a second-generation Swiss and deeply loved and often visited friends and family in Switzerland and Germany. He was a collector of Antique Art Photography and Swiss Enamel souvenir spoons. He was dedicated to researching the genealogy of the Tritt family and the migration of Swiss families to America.  He was elected Vice President of the National Swiss American Historical Society and later helped in the founding of the National Swiss Cultural Center of North America in New Glarus, Wisconsin.

In addition to his deep love of Switzerland, he loved nature and took many long, distant hikes in Europe, traversing coast to coast across Switzerland and England, as well as around Mont Blanc and Hadrian’s Wall. During the summers, he and his family would travel around the United States National Parks.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Marilyn C. Tritt Endowed Fund for Excellence in Nursing Studies at Central Ohio Technical College at www.cotc.edu/give .

A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 PM, Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church of Granville, 110 W. Broadway, Granville, OH 43023.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Don and his family.  Please visit www.McPeekHoekstra.com to share a special memory or leave a message of condolence.