Head of School, 1977-1996
† July 2006
Dr. David F. Rittman was HKIS’s longest-serving Head of School – he held that role from 1977 to 1996. He was also an inspiring English teacher. He returned to the US and served as president of the Lutheran High School Association of St. Louis until 2002, then came back to Asia and was Head of School at Concordia International School Shanghai until he passed away in July 2006.
David oversaw the planning and construction of HKIS’s Tai Tam campus that now houses the Middle and High Schools. The school’s Chinese Language Center at the Repulse Bay campus was named after him “out of deep gratitude for his 19 years of service and dedication to our school,” according to former Head of School Jim Handrich.
Many people fondly remember David’s playfulness and his love of literature. Judy Butler, an HKIS teacher from 1976 to 1983, recalled going to his office for a meeting: “I was walking down the hall towards the office at the end of the hall – Dave saw me walking by the first office and by the time I reached his office, he had plastered his face against the glass, completely distorting his features.” And alumna Linda Lierheimer ’77 commented, “I always thought Mr. Rittmann should have been a college professor, but I am grateful that he chose to teach high school. Although I ended up as a history professor, I owe my love of literature to him.”
Upon hearing the news of David’s death in 2006, Jim said, “David will be remembered as a champion of academic excellence by many thousands, both inside and outside our extended community. All of us who knew David feel blessed that he touched our lives.”
In honor of the unique legacy that David left to HKIS, the school named an Alumni Scholarship in his memory. It goes to a local student from Hong Kong, chosen from the school’s High Achievers Program or English Language Leadership Program. Awarded on the basis of merit and need, it provides full tuition for recipients to attend HKIS from Grades 10 to 12.