Laurence "Dutch" Rennert Jr.

Dutch Rennert was, like so many others, the reason I fell in love with umpiring while still in little league at 8 years old (I'm 46 now). I met him once, shook his hand, and had a short but memorable conversation with him at my Wendelstedt School graduation in 1991 in Ormond Beach. He was a guest speaker and I couldn't have been more excited.

It is clear he inspired many kids, some he knew and probably hundreds others he didn't just like me. It's September 3, 2018 and I just...

Dear Shirley, Melissa and the Rennert Family,
I was so saddened to hear of Dutch's passing. What a gracious and humble man. I will remember Dutch fondly with a cigar in his hand and two dogs by his feet while he listened to baseball. May you find solace in knowing his faith has carried him home. I know these last few years have been difficult. Please know the love,care and respect that you showed to Dutch was commendable. No one could ask for anything more. Dutch was a great guy and he...

One of my heroes passed away on Father's Day.

I knew him from his officiating basketball at my high school in Grafton, and followed his career in baseball. We kept in touch and he was instrumental in encouraging me to go to umpires' school, he also kept tabs on my short professional career.

This morning I dug out his letters he penned to me in 1976 and 1977 and had a great chuckle - a big league umpire writing to a minor league umpire was a big, big, deal.

He was one of a...

Jeff, sorry to hear of the passing of Dutch. I always enjoyed talking with him and trying on his World Series rings during the Dodger Pines days. Fond thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

To the Rennert family- Didn't know Ductch well but always enjoyed watching him ump and talking to him during the offseason. As a side note, my mothe,r Kathryn Duex, baby sat him on Evans St. in Oshkosh in the 1930s. She always said she changed his diapers and he didn't howl as loud as his strike call
Sorry for your loss,

I certainly don't know the Rennert family. My only dubious connection is that I'm involved with a museum at the site of the post office where he worked in Las Vegas! But I'm a lifelong baseball fan, and I so enjoyed watching him work the plate and let everybody within several miles of the ballpark know whether the pitch was a strike. He was great for baseball. My sympathies to his family.

RIP Dutch. Sorry to hear of your passing. I will never forget you and Shirley.

On behalf of my Mom, Katy Dallman and myself, please accept our heartfelt condolences. May you all find peace in knowing Dutch is having the ball game of his life. So sorry for your loss.