John Harold Riutzel

Thousand Oaks, CA March 7, 1924 ---- January 30, 2012 Dad John H. Riutzel, 87; a great and wonderful man passed away to Heaven on Monday. We were privileged to have him as a father. He was a man of great faith, role model, mentor, teacher, member of the greatest generation, hero and patriot. Dad was born in Galesburg, Illinois, grew up in Macomb, Illinois. He joined the US Army at 19 where he served in the 104th Infantry Division, the “Timberwolves”. His unit saw combat in Europe during WW II. After the war he went to Westmont College where he met his future wife of 52 years, the late Violet Riutzel. He went on to earn his Bachelors degree from Pasadena City College. He earned his Bachelors in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary and finally a Masters Degree from the University of Southern California. During this time he worked building houses and other assorted construction jobs aided by the GI Bill to pay for his education. This experience gave him a love for woodworking which he turned into a lifelong hobby. He taught at E. O. Green school for 23 years. John was an accomplished pianist, sign painter and photographer. He counted the members of Camarillo Evangelical Free Church his most esteemed friends. Dad Riutzel is survived by his wife Dorothy, sons John and his wife Sandra, Paul and his wife Kathy, grandchildren Kevin, Karin, Shawn and Heather.