Frank Reinhold Reitter, 78, died October 30, 2015, at Metro West Hospital in the arms of his beloved wife of 45 years, Gail Linzee Reitter. He was the devoted father of Stefani Reitter of Malibu, CA , Kirsten DeSorbo, and her husband, Matt, of Medway; cherished grandfather of Olive (7), Audrey (4), and Mavis (2); dear brother of Joseph Reitter, and his wife Johanna, of Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Frank (changed from Reinhold) Reitter started his life in the former Austro Hungarian Empire in 1937 where his father and grandfather Franz and Peter Reitter, grew wine in the fertile valleys of soon to become Yugoslavia. His ancestors came down the Danube from Alsace Lorraine and the Black forest, a combination of German and French. When the turmoil of WWII overtook the the region, the family had to flee for their lives. His mother Maria escaped with Frank (6) and his brother, Joe (3) joining the masses of refugees in post-war Europe. They were luckier than most and made it to the German border just as the war ended and were assigned to a truly wonderful family of farmers in a small town in Bavaria for the next 7 years. There was little to be had, but this family shared all they could and they remained life-long friends. They were joined by Frank's paternal grandparents, and his grandfather Peter who took over the fathering role since tragically Franz did not make it home. Luckily there was a close relative in the states who sponsored their trip to Chicago in 1950 and made it possible for Frank to attend St John's Military Academy in Wisconsin and the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from college, Frank was drafted into the US Army and became a currier for Shape Headquarters in Paris. This is where he became a tennis ace and learned his "savoire faire" from the his experiences living in Paris.
Upon return to the states after his tour of duty, Frank joined the Magnavox company and came up the ranks to become a marketing executive and later traveled worldwide with Philips of Eindhoven. Frank briefly retired at the age of 55, and then began working again for the EON Company in Restin, VA, and and his last with Video Guide which got him into making commercials, something he loved.
He retired joyfully and earnestly at age 59 He spent his first social security check on a road bike he affectionately referred to as “The Yellow Hornet.” Each day began with a morning ritual of bringing his wife coffee in bed. You could not help but like Frank. He was a pleasure to be around — optimistic, cheerful and charming. He remained an active tennis player, skier, bicyclist and a lover of classical music. One of his greatest accomplishments, according to Frank, was his role as his granddaughter’s soccer coach. Anyone who met Frank recognized that they were in the company of a true gentleman. You were always happy to see him come, and sorry to see him go. Frank has left us now and all are deeply saddened by this loss.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Saturday November 7 at 10:30 A.M. in St Theresa of Lisieux Church Sherborn.
Visiting hours in the John Everett and Sons Funeral Home 4 Park Street,at Natick Common are Thursday November 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the United Nations Refugee Agency (check payable to "USA for UNHCR"), 1775 K Street NW, Suite 580, Washington, D.C. 20006; or The Cantata Singers, Inc., 729 Boylston Street, Suite 405, Boston, MA 02116.