Richard Raiter

Dick Raiter, age 97, passed away August 4. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kay, brother Fritz, sisters Gertrude, Isabel and parents. He was born November 3, 1918 in Alexandria, MN and graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, MN in 1941 with a degree in Economics. He married Kathryn Knoff in 1941 and they celebrated 64 years of marriage before her death on their anniversary December 30, 2005. He had an outstanding college career in athletics as well as the classroom. He was honored to be selected to be on the 1940 Paul Williams Little All American football team. Dick joined the US Navy in 1943 and was trained at the Harvard Business School to be a Naval Supply and Dispersing Officer. He spent his active duty time in the Pacific Theatre headquartered in Saipan as the supply and dispersing officer on a naval ship. He reached the level of a Lieutenant Commander during his naval career. Dick returned to the US in 1945 to be near his dying father and to meet his daughter, Marty aged 18 months, for the first time. He started his civilian life in Fergus Falls, MN and went into the life insurance business. He moved to Denver, CO with his wife and young daughter in 1946. Second daughter, Sue, was born while living in Denver, CO. In 1949 the family of four moved back to Fergus Falls, MN to be closer to family. Debbie, their third daughter, was born in 1954. After a short stint in the hardware business, Dick became an agent with Northwestern National Life Insurance, moving to Minneapolis, St. Cloud and Denver and after 26 years retired as Branch Manager. He earned the CLU distinction while working at NWNL. Dick had a lifelong interest in fitness and sports. He was an avid golfer achieving 8 hole –in- one's during his lifetime. He even snow skied until he was 85. Dick is survived by 3 daughters, Marty (Dave)Frampton, Sue (Bill) Metzger, and Debbie (Al) Colussy. He was the proud grandfather of Rick and Andy Frampton, Kate Metzger Ronning, Steve and Mike Metzger, and Peter, Ben and Greg Colussy and 15 great grandchildren. Dick's life was grounded in God's grace as he lived his Christian faith. It has been an honor to have him as a Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick's honor to the Alzheimer's & Dementia Association: www.alz.org/donate, or Honor Hospice: 4251 Kipling Street, Suite 405, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 www.honorhospice.com Please share memories of Dick and condolences with the family by signing the guestbook below.