In Memory Of
Walter Reitan
1927
2012
Walter Reitan
February 2, 1927 — March 27, 2012
Walter "Paul" Reitan, 85, resident of Green Bay, died Tuesday, March 27, at a local hospital.
He was born Feb. 2, 1927 in Bottineau, N.D. as the oldest child of Walter and Anna Reitan. He attended Larimore High School, in Larimore N.D., as a member of the class of 1945. Paul was an outstanding athlete, playing on the football, basketball and track teams. On more than one occasion, he scored five touchdowns in a game and was a state finalist in the 100-yard dash his sophomore and junior years.
Mr. Reitan graduated early from high school and served in the Navy in the South Pacific while stationed in the Philippine Islands in World War II. He was assigned to P.T. Boat Base #17 in Samar, P.I. and served as a helmsman on 23 missions. When returning to the U.S. at the end of the war, he was on Patrol Craft Escort Ship #843 and was at the helm when the ship survived two 50-foot waves that originated from an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.
Following the war, he attended St. Olaf College and the University of Cincinnati to study engineering. He began his career by working on the cooling system for the world's first electronic computer, developed by the U.S. Navy. Later, he worked at Boeing Aircraft and Sperry Computer Company as a mechanical engineer.
In 1955, he married Donna Hodson, from Chicago, IL. They moved to Beloit, Wisconsin where Paul began his long career in the paper industry. In 1968, the family moved to Green Bay, where Mr. Reitan worked for Paper Converting. He later worked for Kendall Company in Chicago as a research scientist. Paul was responsible for leading the development of new materials that combined non-woven paper with a wide array of plastics. His work led to the creation of disposable surgical gowns, absorbent "Chux" pads and surgical sponges for Kendall's health care products division. In his role, he was responsible for 26 domestic and worldwide patents.
He is survived by his two sons and their spouses, Mark and Kirsten Reitan, Green Bay, WI and David and Melissa Reitan, Jacksonville, FL. He shared his love with five grandchildren, David, Erik and Hans Reitan in Green Bay and Brittany and Blake Hygema in Jacksonville, FL. He also is survived by his siblings, Harold Reitan, Aurora, CO; Kathryn Roe, Bellingham, WA; and Anna Marie Meyer, Chicago, IL and their respective spouses and family members.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Thursday, April 5 at Grace Lutheran Church, 321 South Madison Street in Green Bay. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 P.M., with a memorial service beginning at 3 P.M. The American Legion will honor Paul at 3:30 P.M. and refreshments for all friends and family will be provided from 4 to 5 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship fund in Paul's name has been established at Larimore High School in Larimore, ND. Contributions can be made at http://tinyurl.com/reitandonation
He was born Feb. 2, 1927 in Bottineau, N.D. as the oldest child of Walter and Anna Reitan. He attended Larimore High School, in Larimore N.D., as a member of the class of 1945. Paul was an outstanding athlete, playing on the football, basketball and track teams. On more than one occasion, he scored five touchdowns in a game and was a state finalist in the 100-yard dash his sophomore and junior years.
Mr. Reitan graduated early from high school and served in the Navy in the South Pacific while stationed in the Philippine Islands in World War II. He was assigned to P.T. Boat Base #17 in Samar, P.I. and served as a helmsman on 23 missions. When returning to the U.S. at the end of the war, he was on Patrol Craft Escort Ship #843 and was at the helm when the ship survived two 50-foot waves that originated from an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.
Following the war, he attended St. Olaf College and the University of Cincinnati to study engineering. He began his career by working on the cooling system for the world's first electronic computer, developed by the U.S. Navy. Later, he worked at Boeing Aircraft and Sperry Computer Company as a mechanical engineer.
In 1955, he married Donna Hodson, from Chicago, IL. They moved to Beloit, Wisconsin where Paul began his long career in the paper industry. In 1968, the family moved to Green Bay, where Mr. Reitan worked for Paper Converting. He later worked for Kendall Company in Chicago as a research scientist. Paul was responsible for leading the development of new materials that combined non-woven paper with a wide array of plastics. His work led to the creation of disposable surgical gowns, absorbent "Chux" pads and surgical sponges for Kendall's health care products division. In his role, he was responsible for 26 domestic and worldwide patents.
He is survived by his two sons and their spouses, Mark and Kirsten Reitan, Green Bay, WI and David and Melissa Reitan, Jacksonville, FL. He shared his love with five grandchildren, David, Erik and Hans Reitan in Green Bay and Brittany and Blake Hygema in Jacksonville, FL. He also is survived by his siblings, Harold Reitan, Aurora, CO; Kathryn Roe, Bellingham, WA; and Anna Marie Meyer, Chicago, IL and their respective spouses and family members.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held on Thursday, April 5 at Grace Lutheran Church, 321 South Madison Street in Green Bay. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 P.M., with a memorial service beginning at 3 P.M. The American Legion will honor Paul at 3:30 P.M. and refreshments for all friends and family will be provided from 4 to 5 P.M.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship fund in Paul's name has been established at Larimore High School in Larimore, ND. Contributions can be made at http://tinyurl.com/reitandonation
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Walter Reitan, please visit our flower store.
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