Obituary for Adrian Rittenmeyer

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I have been a librarian at the UI Libraries for many years, beginning the year after your father did. From 1977 until his retirement in 1981, your father worked for me. He was a wonderful, kind, and wise man, known as “Mr. Rittenmeyer” to us all, teaching a generation of young students, 40 or 45 at a time, about the world of work. I learned a great deal from your father, as well. I learned how much he loved your mother -- who made a lovely Christmas tree ornament for my family which I still cherish. I learned about your father’s life growing up in Iowa City and Coralville in the 1920’s. I learned about the ICFD, the fire at “Old Pink,” and Sears’ Craftsmen tools. My favorite memories, though, were his stories about your trips to the north woods and how he and your mother (maybe while you were still young enough to go along) finally settled on Brandenberg’s 3D Resort near Eagle River, Wisconsin. He gave me information on it and my husband and I and our 2 young sons went there every summer for 6 or 7 years – while your folks would still go in the autumn. My family and I have wonderful memories and photos of that place and they always remind me of your dad. After he retired, he’d stop in to the Libraries to talk occasionally, and still had great stories, now about the men’s pool league at the Senior Center. Your father was a true gentleman – conscientious, sensitive, smart, and generous. I’ll always remember him with great fondness. My sincere condolences to you and your families.

I first knew Adrian when we both worked for the University Library; he was always friendly. Susan and I knew him again when we moved next door in 1985. Adrian and Ruth were the best of neighbors and they were always helpful to us. We will miss both always.

To the family, I met Mr. Rittenmeyer when, as grad students, we used to line up early in the morning on the first day of the semester to get our name on the list for one of those grad student carrels back in the 1970s. He was a great guy – gruff, but always so kind and friendly and helpful. I can even still see his handwriting: he would often leave you a note if you did something wrong. I didn’t ever know back then about his firefighter career that he had before he came to the library. We just thought he belonged to us! I am sure there are former grad students all over the world who could tell kind stories about him. I hope I represent them here for you. He was a good soul and always spoke to me when I saw him walking home. Later in life when he had retired (again) and I would run across him somewhere, he would smile and say hello, as though he would remember me, though I am sure he didn't. But that friendliness was something I really appreciated. I am sorry for your loss, Marguerite Miller (now a staff member at The University of Iowa Libraries)

I knew the Mr. Rittenmeyer when he worked with my father as a fireman and through his son Gary. Adrain and his wife Ruth were personal friends of my parents Walter and Marjorie Garwood. I always respected Mr Rittenmeyer and want to express that to his family.