Obituary of Richard W. Reiter

Richard William Reiter, age 90, died on Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at his home in Plainfield. Born in Tarrytown, NY he had resided in Plainfield for 62 years. Richard served in the US Navy as an Engineering Officer on Landing Craft in the Pacific during World War II. He graduated Wheaton College in IL in 1947, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Richard was hired by National Starch & Chemical Company, NYC in 1947, and worked for the company for just over 41 years retiring in January of 1989 as VP Technical, at their Manville, NJ headquarters. He held U.S. Patents and authored numerous professional publications. He greatly enjoyed gardening with his late wife, stamp collecting, and surf fishing along the coast of Delaware during many family vacations. In retirement, he actively participated in the Gideon's International, a group of retired professional men spreading the word of God through gifts of small pocket testaments. He was active with the Westfield and Plainfield, NJ divisions and donated many long hours and days by visiting nursing homes, schools, armed force bases and hotels/motels. Predeceased by his loving wife of 69 years Lenore Lee Reiter on February 12, 2014; his parents Lydia E. Meister and Cryma A. Reiter. Surviving are his two sons Dr. Lawrence Reiter and his wife Elizabeth Anne and Dr. Clifford Reiter and his wife Marilyn; his three daughters Linda Lyons and her husband William, Marsha Pilachowski and her husband David and Lisa Ousouljoglou and her husband Kimon; sisters Mrs. Ruth Steward, Mrs. Grace Cratch and Ms. Laura Reiter; 14 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Ave., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076. Arrangements are under the direction of Higgins Home for Funerals, 209 West 8Th Street, Plainfield, NJ. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested sending memorial donations through the Gideons.org. or Gideon's International, PO Box 31, Union, NJ 07083.