Fred C. Rittenhouse, Jr.

Fred Clarence Rittenhouse Jr., 91, of Oronoco, Minnesota passed away on August 17, 2016 at his home. Fred was born July 5, 1925 in Weston, West Virginia to Fred and Mary (Watson) Rittenhouse. He graduated from Weston High School. In 1943, Fred entered the United State Army Infantry, trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia and went to England for his advanced training. On June 9, 1944 Fred landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He was in the thirty-fifth combat team, which met the Russians at the Elbe River. He participated in five major battles, for which he received five battle stars and the Bronze Star for heroism. After two and a half years of service, he returned to the United States and came to Rochester, MN. Fred attended Rochester Junior College and graduated in 1950. He then enrolled at Hamline University and graduated in 1952 earning his masters degree in history. For the next five years, Fred then taught history and coached football and basketball in Blooming Prairie, MN. Over the years, Fred received his second masters degree in English from Winona State University. Fred taught for four years in Pine Island, and then spent more than thirty years teaching at John Marshall High School in Rochester, MN, where he finished his career. On June 9, 1956, Fred married Rosemary Miller in Chippewa Falls, WI. In August 1961, Fred and Rosemary built a home on Lake Shady in Oronoco, MN. In his spare time, Fred enjoyed raising, training, and showing dogs. He was also an avid gardener and maintained a beautiful vegetable garden. Fred loved to read and was never without a book. Fred is survived by his wife, Rosemary; children, Chuck Rittenhouse of Kasson, David Rittenhouse of Minnetonka, Dianne (Fran) Reuter of Mazeppa and Bob Rittenhouse of Rochester. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Brandon, Nasha and Aubrey Reuter. They family is especially grateful to the thoughtful and caring staff at Seasons Hospice. Fred is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Rittenhouse. A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester. Visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, August 23, 2016 and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oronoco Cemetery. Full military honors with Colton Thoreson playing taps.