Dr. Paul A. RIETZ

RIETZ, AZELTINE, WILLIAMS, MANGOLD, LICKLIDER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/2/2007 at 17:01:37

Mason City Globe-Gazette
December 16, 2000

WASHINGTON, Iowa - Dr. Paul A. Rietz O.D., 81, of Washington and long time resident of Belmond, Iowa, passed away December 13, 2000, at his residence in Washington. Memorial services for Dr. Paul A. Rietz will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2000, at the United Methodist Church in Belmond with the Rev. Celestyne DeVance officiating. A private family burial will take place at the Belmond Cemetery where military rites will be conducted by the Belmond Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, 2000, at the Dugger Ewing Funeral Home in Belmond.

Dr. Paul A. Rietz, the son of August and Olive Azeltine Rietz, was born April 16, 1919, in Rowan. Paul grew up in Rowan where he attended Rowan schools graduating from Rowan High School in 1936. After high school he attended the University of Iowa for one year and Iowa State Teacher's College for one year. Paul was a veteran of World War II. In 1942 he was drafted into the United States Army and served with the Army Air Forces. He was a bombardier instructor at Rosewell, New Mexico, until April of 1944 when he volunteered for overseas duty on the then new B-29 Superfortress. Stationed on Guam, he was a combat bombardier with 330th Bomb Group, 459th Squadron, 21st Bomber Command, 20th Air Force. Paul flew 31 successful missions over Japan. At the close of World War II, he left the Army Air Forces having attained the rank of First Lieutenant. Paul returned home in October of 1945.

Paul was united in marriage with Jean Williams on Nov. 11, 1945, in Sioux Falls, S.D. The couple moved to Chicago, where Paul attended the Illinois College of Optometry. He graduated as a Doctor of Optometry in 1948. The couple then moved to Belmond in 1949 where Paul began his practice as an Optometrist. He retired in 1986. Paul cherished the community he lived and worked in. He consistently strived to do all he could for Belmond. Paul was a devoted member of the Belmond United Methodist Church. Throughout his church life, he served as Sunday School Superintendent and as member of the Administrative Council. Paul is most remembered for faithfully singing the church choir over the years. He served as a board member at the Belmond Community Apartments; a director at the North Iowa Savings and Loan; a board member of the Belmond Library Foundation and Past President of Clarmond Country Club. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge and Belmond Lion's Club. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed golfing. He belonged to both the Clarmond and Belmond Golf and Country Clubs. As a long time member of the Belmond Gridiron Club, he was a staunch supporter of Belmond-Klemme athletics and truly loved all the kids who attended the Belmond-Klemme Schools. As a passionate photographer, Paul will be remembered for the ever-present camera in his hands. The pictures he took over his lifetime will not only be a record of the past, but a treasure for family and friends alike.

Paul is survived by his wife, Jean, of Washington; one daughter, Julie and husband, Dr. Terry Mangold, of Washington; two grandchildren, Adam Rietz Mangold, of Manchester, and Joanna Rietz Mangold, of Ames, whom he adored; one sister, Muriel Licklider of Clarion; one brother, Karl Rietz, of Waterloo; numerous devoted nieces and nephews and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters. Memorials may be directed to the Washington County Hospice. Dugger Ewing Funeral Home.