Fritz W. Koerting

Groton - Fritz W. Koerting, 85, of Windham Falls Estates in Groton, passed away on Oct. 3, 2010, following an extended illness. Until recently he was a resident of Ridgefield.

Mr. Koerting leaves his beloved wife of 57 years, Lola; daughter, Claudia of Gales Ferry; and son, Walter and daughter-in-law, Frances, of Shelton; as well as his four cherished grandchildren, Katrina, Daniel, Stephen, and Austin.

Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on Aug. 25, 1925, he was the son of Dr. Walther and Hannah Koerting. He relocated to Munich, Germany in 1945. In 1954 Fritz and his wife came to the United States, and they settled in Ridgefield in 1961. He was very active in the Ridgefield community.

He was employed with Perkin Elmer Corp. in Wilton for 17 years. He became president of Rodenstock USA of Danbury in 1976, a company globally recognized for innovative ophthalmic and eyeglass manufacturing, until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Koerting was a member of the board of directors of the Vision Council of America, where he served as board vice president. He was also on the board of directors of the OMA, the Optical Industry Association.

A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 28 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 1830 Route 12, Gales Ferry CT 06335.

Contributions in Mr. Koerting's honor and memory may be made to the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association, 90 East Ridge, Ridgefield CT 06877 (www.Ridgefieldvna.org).