John Reitz

John Arthur Reitz ("Jack") of Pisgah Forest, NC passed away on Friday 19, 2011. He was 83.
Jack was born in Hot Springs, SD. He was the only child of Harlie and Cora Reitz and he grew up in Chadron, NE. After graduating from Chadron High School, he voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWII. When the war ended, he enrolled in the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, but left after a semester to work in a mine in Honduras. He returned to the college less than a year later and after five years graduated with a Master's degree as a mining engineer.
While he was a student, Jack fell in love with and married Carol Clark, with whom he shared the following 59 years of his life. His entire career he worked for Ingersoll Rand, first as a sales engineer and later as a General Manager. His job allowed him to fulfill his dream to "see the world." After working in New Jersey and Oklahoma, Jack and Carol moved with their two sons to Costa Rica where their two daughters were born. Eight years later, they were transferred to Lebanon and Jack traveled for his job throughout the Middle East. They were evacuated from Beirut four years later, amidst bombing during the 1967 Six-Day War with Israel. Afterwards, they moved to Brazil and four years later, moved to Chile, where over the next six years he experienced firsthand life before, during and after the 1973 military takeover of that country. He and Carol spent the last eight years of his career in Venezuela. During their years abroad, Jack and his family would periodically return to the U.S. to vacation in their cabin in the mountains in Colorado and visit his parents in California.
After he retired at the age of 58, Jack and Carol chose to move to Brevard, NC. He was a long-time member of Christ Covenant Church, where his friends will miss hearing his deep voice singing and praying.
Jack was truly a Renaissance man. He was a self-taught artist and painted over one hundred landscape paintings. During the course of his life, he especially enjoyed taking photographs, listening to classical music, traveling, reading, collecting geological specimens, looking at classical cars, playing the flute, and fishing. He spoke three languages. He was in awe of God's creation and was known during road trips to tell his children, "Get your nose out of your books and look at the scenery!" He will be missed for his sense of humor, which recently included telling his pastor's wife that if he ever ended up on life support and won the Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstakes, not to let anyone pull the plug, although he never actually spent a night of his life in the hospital.
Jack lived life fully. He died unexpectedly while doing something he loved: driving to Pisgah National Forest to walk his dog, Clancy. Although he will be sorely missed, we have peace knowing he is in heaven with Jesus.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Carol, and their four children: Stephen Reitz (Linda) of Colorado Springs, CO, Michael Reitz of Van Leer, Tennessee, Jennifer Groeneveld (Bill) of Santa Barbara, California, and Tracy Stephenson (Jim) of Raleigh, NC, and his former daughter-in-law, Betz Reitz. He also is survived by his grandchildren Amber and Avery Reitz; Amy, Jonathan (Jenni), and Nathan (Shelley)Reitz; Sarah and Megan Groeneveld; Andrew, Kelly and Evan Stephenson and his great grandchildren, Kyle and Piper Reitz.
In honor of his life, memorial contributions may be sent to Christ Covenant Church's Deacon Fund, 48 Tip Top Road, Brevard, NC 28712 or The Sharing House, PO Box 958, Brevard, NC 28712.
To leave a condolence for the Reitz family, please visit "obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com .

Moore Funeral Home is caring for the family.