Louis P Reitz

Long-time Sun City resident, Louis P. Reitz, passed away peacefully July 16, 2012. He was 105 years of age. Services will be held Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at 10:30 AM at Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, AZ.

Louis was born to T. Max and Flora Mae (Powers) Reitz on June 3, 1907 on the family farm, homesteaded by his Civil War grandfather, Capt. Jacob Marshall Reitz, in Sumner County, Kansas. He spent his childhood there, graduating from Belle Plaine High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Kansas State College, a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska, and a Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. His work in wheat research and plant genetics earned worldwide recognition.

On July 16, 1933 he married Elva Griffith in Belle Plaine, KS. They set up housekeeping in Bozeman, Montana, where he was an Associate Professor of Agronomy at Montana State College. His career then took them to Manhattan, KS; Lincoln, NE; St. Paul, MN; and Washington, D.C. He retired in 1975, becoming an active member of the Sun City community. An avid gardener, he quickly learned to know and love the plants of the southwest, eventually writing a booklet on the Trees and Shrubs of the Royal Oaks Lifecare Community.

Up until his last year he rode his 3-wheel bike around the Royal Oaks campus, enjoying the changing seasons and saying hello to friends.

He was active in Faith Presbyterian Church, Sons of the American Revolution, Sun City Genealogical Society, Questers Antique club, Harmony organ club, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Farm House Fraternity alumni, and was always ready to lead or join in a Sing-along. He published many scientific papers as well as several books of family history.

Louis is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Arlys (Reitz) LaFehr of Grand Junction, CO; a son, David Max Reitz, of Pasadena, MD; 8 grandchildren - Steve LaFehr of Tucson, AZ; Ed LaFehr of Calgary, Canada; Joy LaFehr of Bellevue, WA; Audrey (LaFehr) Marquart of New York City, NY; Paul Louis LaFehr of Arvada, CO; Mike Reitz of Mt. Airy, MD; David A. Reitz of Odenton, MD, and Tom Reitz of Winter Garden, FL; 11 great-grandchildren, 4 nephews and one niece. He will be greatly missed by all, as well as by his many friends and associates. He was preceeded in death by Elva, his wife of 78 years, who just passed away in 2011.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, Royal Oaks Lifecare Community, or the Louis P. and Elva G. Reitz Scholarship at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.