Don Foster Rettberg

Colonel Don Foster Rettberg, USAF (Retired) of Austin, Texas and Macedonia, Ohio; was born on April 13, 1930 to John William and Edith Foster Rettberg of Divernon, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois and while there enlisted in the Air Force in 1951. Don received a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University in 1961, while in the Air Force.

Colonel Rettberg served on active duty in the Air Force for over 29 years as a combat fighter pilot, staff office at various levels including the Pentagon, director of operations and as Executive Officer to the Commander, Allied Air Forces Southern Europe (NATO) in Naples, Italy. He was a command pilot and flew 120 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War – 100 over North Vietnam. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with eleven Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and numerous other decorations.

Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1980, he was employed by the Capital Area United Way, the Association for Retarded Citizens of Austin, Texas, and the Texas Department of Health. He also served as Executive Director of the Texans War on Drugs.

Colonel Rettberg was very active and successful in working on various issues to better the lives of persons with disabilities – especially infants and toddlers. In 1981 he co-founded and tirelessly led the effort to obtain passage of a statewide legislative mandate for publicly funded early childhood interventions services for developmentally delayed infants, ages zero to thee, and their families. He later organized and then led a campaign that raised $1.9 million to build the Rettberg – Sutherland Center that houses Austin – Travis County’s Infant-Parent Training Center that provides early childhood intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities. He was also instrumental in the design and establishment of the ARC of Texas Master Pooled Trust. He received many awards and much recognition for his tireless efforts for people with special needs. He was most proud of having received on of Austin’s Five Who Care awards.

In recent years he served on the Down Home Ranch Advisory Committee, statewide Community Resource Coordinating Group, Texan Guardianship Advisory Board, and on the board of the International Foundation of Hope. Colonel Rettberg was an active and dedicated Kiwanian. He was also a member of the Austin Community Eagles Society, Daedalians, Re River Valley Fighter Pilots Association and the American Legion.

Colonel Rettberg leaves behind his bride of 61 years, Jo Ann, who was his faithful partner and inspiration in all of his endeavors; two children, his daughter, Sandra Jo Gordon and her husband Michael of Hudson, Ohio, his son, Don, Jr.; and three very special grandchildren, Laura Naples (Christopher), Douglas Burley, and Kristen Giorgi (Jon Paul). Three great-grandchildren, Catherine and James Naples, and Vivienne Giorgi. He also leaves behind on sister, Lois Warrington and her husband, Gary, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and their four children, John Beth, Amy, and Mark.

Colonel Rettberg was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband to his Jodie, also “Daddy” to his devoted, caring daughter, Sandy; and the “Greatest Dad Ever” to son, Don. He was honest, gregarious and never hesitated to help a friend or get involved if something needed to be done. He truly loved helping other people and rarely met a stranger. He believed in treating people the way he would want to be treated and accepted people unconditionally.

VISITATION Wednesday March 2nd 5:00 -8:00 PM in the CATAVOLOS FUNERAL HOME 3653 W Market St. Fairlawn, OH. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 PM at the Catavolos Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church at 340 N Main St. Hudson, OH., with Fr. Rev. Steve Brunovsky as celebrant. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery on July 22, 2016 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel. Additional information concerning funerals at Arlington National Cemetery is available at www.arlingtoncemetery.mil

Memorial donations may be sent to Down Home Ranch, Inc. 20250 FM619, Elgin, Texas 78621.