Herbert joined the US Army at the age of 17 and retired as a Sergeant Major after 24 years of faithful service; including serving in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He worked for the Edmond Postal Service for 15 years.
Though retired, Herbert didn’t stop working. He put in over 40 hours a week volunteering for numerous organizations; including: Habitat for Humanity, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Elks Lodge, VFW, RSVP medical rides, and the VA Hospital where he earned Volunteer of the Year in 2001 for volunteering for over 10,000 hours.
He also served in many personal ways, such as treating the roads in his neighborhood during icy or snowy conditions, adopting students from Bulgaria and Nepal, hosting huge Thanksgiving meals for family and many guests, helping with the post office’s parade floats, and hosting Independence Day picnics.
Herbert was a nice guy who loved people, animals, and gardening (he gave away all the produce). He will be greatly missed.
Herbert was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Lynda; sister, Betty Kraft; and brother, Eugene Rettke. He is survived by his daughter, Kathie Berger (William); sons, Herbert “Buddy” Rettke, Jr., and Terry Rettke; grandson/adopted son, Cory Mark Rettke; step-daughters, Christie Adel and Dee Ann Delgado; and numerous other grandchildren, great-children, family members and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or RSVP.
