In Memory of Philip L. Reitz, Jr. MD

Obituary

Philip L. Reitz, Jr. MD, 93, of New Hartford, died on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at his home.

He was born on June 26, 1924, in Buffalo, NY, a son of the late Philip L and Kathleen Wilson Reitz. He was raised in Olean, NY and graduated from Olean High School in 1942. In September of 1942, he enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute, where his class of 1946 was known as the Phantom Class, because 70% of the class was called to active duty. Through ASTP an abbreviated Pre-Med and accelerated medical program at the University of Buffalo, he received his MD degree. After completing an internship at the Norfolk General Hospital in June of 1948, he married Joanne Tonder at St. Vincent’s Church in North Evans, NY. Following their wedding, Philip received an Army Reserve Commission as a First Lt. and went to active duty at Ft. Dix. On April 1, 1950, the first of his five children, Philip, III was born and in July was deployed for the Korean War. While in Korea he served with the Army 24th Division; he remained with them as a Battalion Surgeon for 9 months. Philip went from the Nakdong River on the Pusan Perimeter to an area on the West Coast of North Korea about 5 miles short of the Yalu River before making an abrupt turnaround. In March of 1951, Philip was transferred to the 8th Station Hospital in Kobe, Japan and in October he was honorably discharged as a Captain.

In January of 1952, he started his Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Cincinnati, a program at the VA Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. After four years of serving his residency, he became the Chief Medical Resident and remained on staff in the Cardiology Department for two years. Philip was appointed to the Ohio State faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine.

In June of 1958, he joined the Slocum Dickson Medical Group where he practiced Internal Medicine specializing in heart and lung disease. Philip took great pride in developing Respiratory Therapy programs at MVCC. Philip had many past and present affiliations including, American College of Chest Physicians, American College Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Trudeau Society, State and County Medical Societies.

Philip was a member of the Yahnundasis Golf Club for over 50 years where he was an avid golfer. He was also a member of the Otsego Sail Club and the New Hartford American Legion Post 1376. He cherished the time he was able to spend on the St. Lawrence River on Wolfe Island “white camp.” While at the River he took great pleasure in fishing, sailing, and spending time with family and friends. Philip always looked forward to traveling whether it be to Europe or visiting his children in Niskayuna, NY, Erie, PA, Billings, MT, Bend, OR or White Salmon, WA.

Philip was a man of integrity, honesty, and a subtle sense of humor. His strong sense of character and his family are his legacy.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Tonder Reitz; children, Philip, III and his wife, Dr. Janet Reitz, Larry, Alan and his wife, Helen, Paul and his wife, Dr. Susan Balter; son in law, Duane Wilkey; grandchildren, Andrew, Deidre, Michele, Richard, Joey, Madeline, Suzanne and Emily; great grandchildren, Milo and Liliana; sisters in law, Gertrude Brudo and her husband, Bill, Elaine Siegfried and her husband, John; brother in law, Robert Tonder; special nieces and nephews, Judy, Sandy, Debbie, Jean, John T., Bonita, Paula, John S., Jill, Dana, Robin, David, James and Douglas; special cousins, Charles Reitz and his extended family. Philip was predeceased by his only daughter, Dr. Mary Ellen Reitz; infant grandson, “Frankie”; only sibling, Janet Baldwin and her husband, Richard; brothers and sisters in law, Raymond and Ruth Boyd, Richard and Josephine Tonder and Janice Wood Tonder.

The services of celebration will be on Saturday, October 21 at 11:00 at the Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford, officiated by the Rev. Paul Drobin.

Please consider the New Hartford Public Library, 2 Library Ln., New Hartford, NY 13413 or the Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413, in memory of Philip.