Ritchie Sohan Chetram, 87, of Fresno, Califirnia, passed away Friday March 01, 2019 in home hospice with his family by his side in Plano, Texas.   Ritchie was born December 11, 1931 in British Guyana, Port Mourant to Rambalack and Lillian Chetram.  Ritchie lived his early years in Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.  After graduating high school he was well known and respected as a teacher in the primary schools.  He then married Estelle Ganesh on 14 August 1957. Ritchie obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture on 13 June 1963 and a Master of Science degree 16 June 1965, both from Southern Illinois University.  Ritchie then earned a PhD on 04 July 1968 from the University of Nottingham; his doctoral thesis is still accessible and utilized by researchers.  Ritchie did post-doctoral work and was a research scientist at Ohio State University.  He and his family then relocated to California to allow him to dedicate over 30 years of work in industry, first in Salinas and finally to Fresno.  He is survived by his wife Estelle Chetram, his daughter Christine Chetram Reep and his son William Chetram as well as his  brother Paul, his sisters Eva and Lucy and family residing in New York and Ontario, Canada. A special service will be held at 430pm March 03 at North Pointe Church, East Park Blvd in Plano, Texas. There will be memorial service in New York in early April.