Robert Rettig
Surrounded by his loving family, long-time Alexander resident, Bob (Robert Vincent) Rettig, 65, peacefully passed away Feb. 7, 2016, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, ND. Although his health progressively declined for several years, his complaints were non-existent.
Bob was born Aug. 27, 1950. He was the third of six children born to Vince and Agnes Rettig.
Bob was an outstanding athlete and held the single-game scoring record for the most points scored in a single basketball game at the Williston Fieldhouse with no 3-point line.
He graduated from Alexander High School in 1968 and attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, N.D.
He played softball for several years and was on the 1976 Class A State Championship team that traveled to Silver Spring, Md. for the National Softball Tournament.
Bob was a totally devoted dad. His daughters Kayla and Heidi were his world. As youngsters he baked them caramel rolls, styled their pony tails with a butane curling iron, and installed radios on their pink mini bikes.
As his daughters left their teens, he loved surprising them with things he thought they might need - be it a Christmas tree, a car, or a surprise check in the mail. Bob was a family man of old-fashioned, real integrity. For over a year he scheduled weekly family lunch dates. Then he’d make phone calls with, when and where reminders.
He was a devoted uncle. His generous gifts to nieces and nephews were amazing and (much to Bob’s delight) were often thought annoying. Examples: Paint ball guns came with a year’s supply of paint. Drum sets always came with his personal replacement warranty should they break.
Bob worked for GTA Feeds, DeLorme Electric, Alexander Public School, Weller Electric, and he retired as an electrician from Hess Corporation in 2010.
After retiring, gardening became a passion. He took over his dad’s gardening skills and became known as the “pumpkin man” when his dad was unable to plant and harvest. He studied the Gurney catalog, ordered seeds earlier and earlier, and expanded his garden plot as well as the size of his gardening tractor. His free garden produce circulated in even wider circles.
Two beloved daughters survive Bob, Kayla Rettig of Mandan, N.D. and Heidi Johnson (Kevin) of Williston, N.D. Other survivors include one brother, Ed (Mary) Rettig; and three sisters, Mary E. Rettig, Kim DeLorme (Greg), and Pam Rettig as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his older brother Jim, his parents Vince and Agnes Rettig, and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Friends called at the Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home on Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and for the hour preceding the service at the church on Thursday.
His Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Thursday morning, Feb. 11, 2016, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston, N.D. Father Russell Kovash officiated and interment followed at approximately 1 p.m. in the Alexander Cemetery, in Alexander, N.D.
An Evening Vigil with a Rosary was held Wednesday evening, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m. at the Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home Chapel in Williston.
Friends may visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share remembrances of Bob or leave condolences for his family.