Robert A. Reitsch

Robert A. Reitsch, 90 passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 21st. Bob was born February 26th, 1934, to Robert and Marion Armstrong Reitsch in Champaign, Illinois. He was raised along with his sister Jeanne in Rockford, Illinois and attended the University of Illinois, where he met and married his first wife Jaci Grear of Pinckneyville, Illinois. Bob and Jaci started and raised their family that included two daughters, Debbi and Karin, and sons, Bob and Steve in Rockford. Bob had a lifetime passion for golf including starting the Rockford Pro Am in 1977 that benefited multiple local charities. He was inducted into the Rockford Golf Hall of Fame in 2008. 

After the untimely passing of Jaci, Bob was extremely fortunateto find and marry a Jr. High School friend, Sharon Thomas Corbridge in July of 1998 and acquire a new additional family consisting of Kelly, Scott, Brady and Tracey. In addition to children, spouses and 15 grandchildren made family gatherings a large and joyous affair. Each and every one in the family was the love of his life. Bob made friends everywhere he went and will be dearly missed by many.

There will be a private family burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the YMCA of Rock River Valley, 200 Y Blvd. Rockford, IL 61107, or online at rockriverymca.org/Give/Donate-Online2/Annual-Campaign-Giving/. Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL is assisting the family with arrangements. 

He is survived by his four children, Debbi (Tom) Mitchell, Bob (Tawny) Reitsch, Karin (Tom) Frantz, Steve (Julie) Reitsch; grandchildren, Christi (Collin) Trester, Rachel (Rick) Reitsch-Bamman, Bobby Reitsch, Nick (Lacey) Frantz, Sarah Frantz, Austin (Hayley) Reitsch, Kolton (Holly) Reitsch, Brianna (Aubrey) Browning; great grandchildren, Charlotte Trester, Layla Frantz and Addison Frantz; step-children, Kelly (Gina) Corbridge, Scott (Karen) Corbridge, Brady (Holly) Corbridge, Tracey Corbridge; step-grandchildren, Adam Corbridge, Lauren Corbridge, Morgan Corbridge, Reagan Corbridge, Julia Corbridge and Madison (Kevin) Holland, step great grandchild, Declan Holland. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jaci, his sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne and John Floberg, his parents Bob and Marion Reitsch, and step grandchild Justin Corbridge along with many dear friends who welcomed him at Heaven’s gate.

To quote his grandmother Mame Reitsch and what Bob would always say - “Aren’t we a wonderful family!”