Richard "Rick" L. Kreitzer, Sr.

Richard (Rick, Big Rick, Ricky) Lawrance Kreitzer Sr.  June 15, 1953- January 4, 2019

Rick was born at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California.  At the age of three months he moved to Bowie where he was raised. He graduated from Bladensburg High school in 1972. Rick was a jack of all trade and would always do odd jobs growing up till he got his first paid job at the age of 15 at the Bowie Shell station at 450 and Church Road.  There wasn't anything that you could put in front of him that he couldn’t figure out how to fix. He worked at the Bowie Race Track for many years. In 1972 he enlisted in to the Marines. He went to Paris Island for basic training then was sent to Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay) where he was stationed for two years. He was sent to Camp Pendleton where he received his Honorable discharge with the rank of Sargent where then came back to Bowie. He served in Vietnam. He received Rifle Expert Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal.  In 1976 he met Donna; they got married on November 4, 1978. They then welcomed two children Richard Lawrance Kreitzer Jr. (1984) and Brandy Lee Kreitzer (1988). Rick was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother and uncle. He was a hard worker and any task you gave him he made sure he put 110% into it. Rick finished out his career with the department of interior at the Patuxent Fish and wildlife refuge on September 19, 2018. He also was able to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary November 4th 2018. Rick passed away January 4, 2019 after six month battle, sounded by his family.  He will be greatly miss by all, but we all have memories to cherish because he touched every single one of us.

God saw you getting tired

And a cure was not to be

So he put His arms around you

And whispered "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched you

As you slowly slipped away

And though we loved you dearly

We couldn't make you stay.

Your golden heart stopped beating

Your tired hands put to rest

God broke our hearts to prove to us

He only takes the best.