Norman D. Rittenhouse

Norman D. Rittenhouse, 97, of Harleysville, PA; passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Souderton Mennonite Homes.
He was the loving husband of the late Alice C. Rittenhouse (Clemmer) for 72 years. Norman was born in Towamencin Twp., PA to the late Norman A. Rittenhouse and the late Ellen Derstine Rittenhouse.
Norman was a lifelong member of Plains Mennonite Church Lansdale PA
He was born and raised on the family farm in Kulpsville, PA When he meet & married Alice, together in 1954 they bought & moved to the Clemmer homestead farm in Harleysville, PA where he worked as a farmer for over 70 years. Along with his farming Norman owned and operated three retail poultry, egg and farm produce markets (Rittenhouse Farms) 69th street Market Upper Darby (1953-1963), Wayne Farmers Market (1963-1978) and Lancaster County Farmers Market in Strafford, PA from 1978 until retiring in 1995.
During his life, Norman was member of the Montgomery County Environmental Conservation Board, a former board member of the 4-H Club and a member of the Christopher Dock Development Committee. Known as a faithful servant, he served as a member of Mennonite Disaster Service and was a former board member of the Mennonite Central Committee. At Plains Mennonite Church, Norman formerly served on many committees including the board of trustees, as a treasurer, building committee member, and as a youth leader.
Norman will be remembered as a Master Farmer, an award given to him for his work in advancing the environmental crop rotation and enhancing production & resource management. Although he enjoyed his market businesses, the land captured his heart, and he always took pride in the appearance and production of his more than 300 acres. He had an industrious life and if asked he would share his risky adventure building in 1956 his chicken house which was the largest laying chicken house east of the Mississippi housing 17,000 laying chickens. He had a love for hunting & trapping. He enjoyed the beauty of the world, traveling both domestically and internationally. His home was always open to others, and he enjoyed meeting and welcoming new people. He took part on numerous faith mission trips, and together with his loving wife Alice, was a sponsor for children through the fresh air program of New York City. Norman was known to have a love of cars, especially his 1950 Pontiac San Pedro Ivory with Sienna Rust Top in which he courted his wife in. He used to jokingly say the car caught his wife's attention first. He always prided himself in fixing and tinkering with things – taking something & making it better gave him joy.
He is survived by his son, Dr. Eric R. Rittenhouse and wife, Stacy of Center Valley, PA; his daughter, Jennifer J. Rittenhouse and son in law Dr. George Seavy of Harleysville, PA; his five grandchildren, Gabrielle Miller & husband, Timothy, Olivia Seavy, Everett Seavy, Jacob Rittenhouse, and Madison Rittenhouse; his brother, James Rittenhouse & wife Easter of New Holland, PA; and his sister-in-law, Esther Godshall of Souderton, PA;
In addition to his wife, Alice and his parents, Norman was preceded in death by: his brother, John Rittenhouse; his sisters, Miriam Rittenhouse Ruth, Ruth Rittenhouse Hunsberger, Mary Rittenhouse, and Eva Rittenhouse Alderfer and brothers-in-law, Alpheus Ruth, Stanley Alderfer, Wilmer Hunsberger. And his beautiful beloved granddaughter, Jessica Anne Rittenhouse
Visitations will be held at Plains Mennonite Church, 50 Orvilla Road, Hatfield, PA 19440 on Saturday October 21, 2023 from 10:00 am – 11:30 am and from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, followed directly by a Celebration of Life service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to in his memory to: Eastern Mennonite University, Peace & Justice Program,1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.
Arrangements by: Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 East Broad Street, Souderton, Pennsylvania 18964. To send online condolences to the family, visit www.andersfh.com.