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San Francisco State University

Milton Reiterman Obituary

Milton F. Reiterman A longtime San Francisco schools administrator and labor negotiator, Milt Reiterman passed away Dec. 29 at age 85 during treatment for a stroke. Raised in the rough-and-tumble Mission District, Milt became one of the city's most celebrated high school football players and was named Player of the Year in 1942. He recently was elected to the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame. Milt saw combat in World War II as an Army Air Corps ball turret gunner before he finished his education at San Francisco State and went into teaching. He worked as a football coach, counselor, labor negotiator and administrator during his 30-year career with the San Francisco Unified School District. Among his accomplishments were helping integrate the city schools, spearheading a $37 million bond issue for school seismic upgrades and developing affirmative action programs in personnel and building construction. Following his retirement in 1980 as associate schools superintendent, he worked for two decades as chief labor negotiator for the city's public housing agency and Moscone Convention Center. Active in civic and philanthropic groups, Milt was a past president of Aid to Retarded Children. He was at the time of his death on the board of Mount St. Joseph-St. Elizabeth/Epiphany Center, an agency that assists women, children and families. Milt is survived by his wife of 63 years, LaVerne, children Tim of San Francisco, Ted of Brisbane and Laurel Weil of Alamo, as well as three grandchildren-Amanda and Ted Jr. Reiterman and Elizabeth Weil. Friends and family are invited to a rosary service at 7 p.m. on Monday Jan. 4 at St. Monica's Church, 23rd and Geary, San Francisco, and a memorial Mass on Tuesday Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. at St. Monica's. Memorial contributions to Epiphany Center, 100 Masonic Ave, San Francisco, preferred.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Jan. 1, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Milton Reiterman

Sponsored by anonymous.

28 Entries

Crist Nelson

December 13, 2016

Dear family of Milt, I just recently learned of Milts death. I worked with Milt for a few years and he was such a good man and mentor. I thought of Milt often and will for years to come. I was fortunate to know him. Crist Nelson

January 22, 2010

Dear Laverne & Family:
We are so sorry to learn of Milt's passing. I lived areound the corner from the Reitermans and knew his bother Frankie. Being part of Mission High football under Milt was memorable. We enjoyed lunch with you both at Miss Scandrett's. Also, your attendance at our class reunions. We will miss Milt at our 55th in October. He was a truly exceptional and wonderful man. Patti & Allan Jones, Walnut Creek, CA.

Julie Kavanagh

January 22, 2010

Mr. Reiterman was kind to my husband, John Murray when he worked at the SFUSD, and also to John's Mom, who was the school secretary at Presidio for many years. God bless you for sharing your husband and father with the many who benefitted so much from knowing him. John and Madeline have been with God for many years, but many of us still remember...

Lorraine Grant

January 20, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Don Elvander

January 19, 2010

Dear LaVerne,

Many years have past, but that doesn't mean that you two lovely friends have not been in our thoughts.
Diane and I will include you in our prayers.May the Lord give you strength in this trying time.
Don and Diane

Ron & Lorraine Mendlin

January 7, 2010

Dear LaVerne & Family,

Ron and I will always remember the kindness you and Milt showed us. You were always there for us. Milt is in our prayers and are hoping he sends down some of that wonderful energy he was blessed with to all of us. We already miss him. Take care yourself and we will be in touch with you as soon as your life settles down a bit.

Sincerest Regards to you and family,

Ron and Lorraine Mendlin

Patrick Duterte

January 6, 2010

Mrs. Reiterman, Tim, Ted and my friend Laurel,

Please accept my deep condolences with the passing of a great man, husband and father. I didn't know him very well but I will always remember the warmth and acceptance he exuded when I met him. When a great person crosses your path you always remember that person. He was one of the very few truly great ones that I had the pleasure of meeting. I wish I knew him better because it would have been great to tip a beer and shoot the bull with him. We will always have being "city kids" as our connection.

Regards,
Patrick

Terri Hipps

January 4, 2010

Dear Laverne,
You and Milt are my friends. And I will pray for him.
Love you. Your Friend, Terri

David Clisham

January 4, 2010

I worked on the teachers' union side in the 1970's when Milt was the Director of Personnel and then later Deputy Superintendent and Chief Negotiator for SFUSD. Milt was one of those rare administrators who recognized the value of employees having a union. He was always tough but realistic and, from an administrative point of view, understood the importance of having an effective union to deal with and as a vehicle to solve problems. There are many stories that can be told. One of the stories is my experience in meeting with him with a teacher who was entitled to be probationary but was erroneously designated a Long Term Substitute. After listening carefully to our contention regarding the facts, he called the principal of the school during our meeting to verify our statements. After a few minutes of discussion with the principal he hung up and turned to us and said to the teacher, "You have been on probation, classified erroneously as an LTS. You are now a permanent teacher." The teacher always gave me credit for getting her a life long job in the district. I always credited Milt, however, for making a correct decision quickly and directly without hesitation. In another experience out of many, I remember going to a meeting at the Labor Council with the Teachers Union President, Jim Ballard, seeking strike sanction (we conducted four strikes in eleven years, 1968, 1971, 1974 and 1979). Labor Council procedures required a a meeting with the Union and Management. Jack Crowley conducted the meeting. Jim and I were there representing the teachers union. As I recall, Milt and, either George Boisson or Irving Breyer, represented SFUSD. We eventually got strike sanction but barely. It turned out that Milt had a better relationship with the key people in the Labor Council than we, the union representatives, did. After I became a lawyer, Milt and I remained friends and he would often refer clients to me, individuals who needed support in dealing with the bureaucracy. Milt was recently inducted into the Prep Hall of Fame based on his outstanding football career at Mission High School in the 1940's. Milt was a rare individual, smart as a whip, an excellent negotiator, straight talker and always had a twinkle in his eye. We will miss him, his enthusiasm, his emotions, his warmth and his sense of humor. His contribution to the school district and the City of San Francisco is huge. He will not be forgotten.

January 4, 2010

Dear LaVerne,
My condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Conrad

Tyler&Pamela Berding

January 4, 2010

To LaVerne, Laurel, Tim, and Ted, please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of your husband and father. I lost my dad a couple of years ago. No matter how much your head may acknowledge the loss, your heart never will. Milt was larger than life and a sustaining force. He will always be loved and missed.

Tyler and Pamela

January 4, 2010

LaVerne and Family,
Though not of great physical stature, when judged by the size of his warm, generous, and embracing nature, he was a giant of a man. Along with the Kellys, Milt and LaVerne took us in and became our family in San Francisco. The entire Gilmore family mourns his loss but celebrates the life of this extraordinary man and the times we shared with him and his wonderful family. LaVerne, though the practical side of life prevents me from joining you tonight please know that is where my spirit wants to be, and will be.
David Gilmore and Family

Richard Oliver

January 3, 2010

Dear Mrs. Reiterman & Family,

My name is Dr. Richard G. Oliver. Mr. Milton F. Reiterman was a teacher, coach, mentor and friend of our family.

In 1952, Mr. Reiterman was Head Coach of the Varsity football team at Mission High School and I played end on that team. Ends were receivers and they played as much as tight ends play today. Coach Reiterman, used creative strategies to coach us and through necessity invented, produced and introduced the position of Wide Receivers or wide-out. The new position became a great benefit to me and to other football players, thanks to Mr. Milton F. Reiterman’s excellent coaching abilities and innovative style. It was a pleasure knowing him as a coach and as a friend.

Sincerely,

The Oliver Brothers & Family

Carmen & Brian O'Connor

January 3, 2010

LaVerne, Ted,Gloria, Tim, Sue, Laurel and Steve

Our hearts and prayers go out ot all of you and your families in this difficult time.

Love, Carmen and Brian

Stephen Williams

January 3, 2010

I had the distinct pleasure of working very closely with Milt assisting with labor negotiations at the San Francisco Housing Authority and establishing a pre-apprenticeship training program for residents of San Franciscos public housing projects in the late 70's. What a wonderfully refreshing and truly educational experience. He was an extraordinarily honorable person and a true gentlemen who genuinely cared and worked tirelessly to improve educational and equal employment opportunities for San Franciscans during some fairly turbulent times coinciding with my tenure as Personnel Director at San Francico's housing agency.

Sister Josephine Burns, DC

January 2, 2010

Milt was a wonderful man, and our prayers and sympathy go to Laverne and the family. He was a committed supporter for many years of our women in need at Mount St Joseph-St Elizabeth. He will be greatly missed by so many. God's blessings be with you, dear Milt.

January 2, 2010

We will always remember Sundays at the 'Stick, fervent political discussions over scotch in the living room, watching kids at play at the ranch and always knowing that loving, giving and sage advise during times of need was only a phone call away. We will miss you Coach....

-Kimla, Rosa, Kevin and Michael Kelly

January 1, 2010

I have very fond memories of Milt while growing up in Westlake. He was a very sweet and funny man. Our thoughts and prayers are will all of you in this time of deep sorrow. Tim & Deena Purdy (Placerville, CA)

Teralee McDonald

January 1, 2010

Dear LaVerne, Tim, Laurel, Ted, & families,

It brings me great sadness to hear of Milt’s passing. He clearly inspired many others throughout his life, and I am grateful for his influence in mine. He will be missed. May you find comfort in friends, and family at this time of loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

With deepest sympathy,

John & Sylvia Roy

January 1, 2010

Milt was my line coach at Mission in 1951 and the older brother of our best friend, Frank. He was a tough so and so but a sweetheart at the same time. May God Bless Milt. He will be missed.

January 1, 2010

Dear LaVerne and Family,

It is with deepest sadness that I offer my condolences on Milt's passing. He was a a very wonderful and caring man, and I feel very honored to have known him. The world won't be the same without him. I'll miss him very much.

Linda Villa, San Francisco, CA

Ron Cabral

January 1, 2010

Milt was my counselor at Mission High 51 years ago. He encouraged me to go on to college and I eventually became a principal in the San Francisco Schools. I always admired him and thought he was a great school administrator during rough times at 135 Van Ness.

Joel Weinberg

January 1, 2010

To LaVerne, Tim, Ted, and Laurel: I'm so sad to hear about Milt's passing. I feel like a part of my childhood—a wonderful part—is gone. Please accept my deepest condolences at this time. I wish I could be in SF for the memorial service. Please know that I will be there in my heart.
Love,
Joel Weinberg and Adam Kent

Joan Barisone Calderon

January 1, 2010

LaVerne and Family

It is with great sadness, that I read of Milt's death. He was such a wonderful man. He will always hold a special place in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time.

Ira Sariotti

January 1, 2010

Dear La Verne and family:
Please except our deepest condolences and may your hearts be filled with wonderful memories and joyful time. God bless you and your family.
The Sariotti family

January 1, 2010

We're so sorry to hear about Milt's death, we just got to know and love him. He'll be greatly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Samir,Mona& Rhonda Anjelly
Islip, NY

Lynne Beeson

January 1, 2010

What an amazing man and what great contributions to the City of SF. I will always remember him with the greatest respect and admiration. He touched my life 50 years ago at Mission High. Lynne Beeson

Jack & Patt Gordon

January 1, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

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