Robert Donald Dewitz

Robert D. DeWitz, 78, of Rochester, died Sunday, August 5, 2012 at his home. Robert Donald DeWitz was born June 6, 1934 in Rochester to Arthur and Effie (Hunter) DeWitz. He married Beverly Goodenough on March 28, 1954.He served in the US Army during the Korean War.He enjoyed working, big game hunting, fishing, operating heavy equipment, and spending time with his family. Robert was a longtime Rochester business man and owner of DeWitz Home Builders.He developed many subdivisions and built over 3,000 homes in Rochester.Bob also was owner of the Ritz Arena Roller Rink and Arrow Marine. Robert was a past President (1987) and honorary member of Rochester Area Builders and received their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.He was a Construction Chairman of Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial and received the 2001 Mayors Medal of Honor Award for his work there.He was a member and past President of the Rochester Shrine Cycle Patrol.He was on the committee to construct the Minnesota Veterans and Emergency Services Museum.He served on the Board for Rochester Network for Re-Entry.He served on the Rochester Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and on the Sheriffs Youth Programs Board for 11 years.He was a member of the Shrine Osman Temple, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Rochester Masonic Lodge No 21, American Legion Post 92, VFW Post 1215, Rochester Area Shrine Club, Korean War Veterans Club, Disable Veterans Post 28, and Hosanna Lutheran Church.He was a past chair of the Salvation Army Board.He was the Recipient of the Chamber of Commerces Small Business of the Year Award in 2002. He was the Recipient of the Sertoma 700 Clubs Service to Mankind Award in 2000.He was the Recipient of the Rochester Area Housing Councils Affordable Housing Production Award. Robert is survived by his wife, Beverly of Rochester; children, Lori (Rick) Lovett of Rochester, MN, Charles (Sally) DeWitz of Rochester, MN, Julie (Brendan) Leisen of Kellogg, MN, Jean DeWitz of Rochester, MN, and Joan (Tony Bluske) DeWitz of Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Thomas and Amy Lovett, Robert C. and Jeffrey DeWitz, Jessica, Megan, and Katie Leisen, Keith and Daniel Cousins, and Sam Lowrie; great grandchildren, Jaidyn Leisen-Morales, Dayton and Dalton DeWitz, and Kimberly DeWitz; siblings, Lavonne Gaskill of Plainview, MN, Harold (Myrna) DeWitz of Rochester, MN, LeEtta Lorimor of Rochester, MN, Arva Sackett of Rochester, MN, and Arthur (Dianne) DeWitz of Rochester, MN.Robert was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Christopher Lovett. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Ave SW, Rochester, with the Reverend Lisa Kipp officiating.Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #92 following the service at Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial.A visitation will be from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.Burial will be held in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial.