Rittenmeyer, Theodore 'Ted'

Theodore “Ted” Rittenmeyer, 83, of 1095 Silvercrest Circle, Iowa City, died Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, at the Briarwood Health Care Center in Iowa City, after a courageous battle with dementia. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City, with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City. (Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for the streets near the church). Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, where a parish vigil service will be shared at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to Camp Courageous of Iowa, P.O. Box 418, Monticello, IA 52310-0418; or St. Mary's Catholic Church of Iowa City.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Ted was born on July 24, 1928, in Iowa City “Goosetown,” the son of Albert P. and Bess L. (Fitch) Rittenmeyer. He graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1947. In 1948, Ted enlisted in the Navy and served on the U.S.S. LSMR 412. Ted was joined in wedlock to Marjory M. Crock on Dec. 22, 1948. In 1966, together they purchased and began operating Gordon Food Products Corp. Marjory passed away in 1979. Ted continued this operation until he retired in 1995. He was president of the Iowa City Jaycees in 1960-1961 and was a charter member of the Old Capitol Kiwanis Club. Ted was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Church, serving for many years as an usher. Ted was a longtime member of the Johnson County Historical Society and was very proud of his heritage, having descended from Johnson County pioneers Louis Englert and F.X. Rittenmeyer.

Ted's family includes one son, Mike Rittenmeyer (Helen) of Iowa City; two daughters, Susan Schmucker (Ed) of Iowa City, and Mary Jo Rittenmeyer (Bob Schnoebelen) of Lone Tree; three granddaughters, Kate (Martin McCloud) of North Carolina, Sarah Rittenmeyer of Iowa City and Anne Rittenmeyer (Brady Blazek) of North Liberty; and three grandsons, Doug Schmucker (Jodi Weber) of Hiawatha, David Schmucker (Amy) of Lone Tree, and Matt Rittenmeyer (Linette) of Riverside; three great-grandsons, Benjamin and Nicholas Schmucker of Hiawatha, and Thomas Rittenmeyer of Riverside; one stepgreat-grandson, Rhett Peek of North Liberty, one great-granddaughter, Brianna Rittenmeyer of North Liberty; one sister-in-law, Rose Rittenmeyer; and a longtime and very dear companion, Priscilla Wright.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Tom; grandson, Patrick Rittenmeyer; and five brothers, Adrian, Lou, Kenneth, Bernard and Dean.

Published in The Gazette Jan. 4, 2011.