Dave Reitz

Pasadena - David Max Reitz, 78, died Saturday, July 15, 2017 at the Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena peacefully. He was surrounded by his family. He leaves his wife of 57 years, Eileen "Gee Gee" Virginia (Roberts) Reitz; his sons, Michael Ray Reitz, David Allen Reitz and Thomas Edward Reitz; his sister, Arlys LaFehr; his two daughter-in-laws, Angela Maria and Ruth Ann; his five grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth, Megan Virginia, Savanna Irene, Leeanna Brooks, and Alyssa Marie and many, many close friends. Born in Bozeman, Montana, the son of Dr. Louis and Elva (Griffith) Reitz, he was raised in Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and University Park, MD. In his early years, Dave always wanted to know how things worked. His first sentence was, "How it works?" He had his first job at 13 working at the John Deere tractor testing lab. After graduating from Northwestern High School in 1956, he worked as a machinist, honing his skills that he would use in the near future. He also worked in paving for a few years until turning his passionate hobby for drag racing into a career. In 1962, he and two buddies convinced a Hyattsville, MD car dealer, Bob Banning, to sponsor their racing team, the Bounty Hunters. They tore up the track wherever they went and soon the sponsor wanted more involvement, and hence, Bob Banning Racing was formed. Dave became the full time racing director, crew chief, head wrench, and driver for the next ten years. He met the love of his life, his future wife, Eileen Virginia Roberts in 1958 and they were soon married in 1960 at Riverdale Presbyterian Church in Riverdale, MD. He went on to a career working for Banning Motors in many varied roles throughout his long career, including Service Manager, Service Director, Warranty Manager, and Facilities Manager. His nickname was "Magic" because he could fix anything. Mr. Banning often went to Dave to fix engines on boats, mowers, chainsaws, and up to and including repairing and installing industrial air conditioning systems or any other mechanical system. He was also an avid fisherman, was a member of the Pasadena Sportfisherman Association for many years and was known to regularly pull in his rockfish limit before noon each time he went out. Rockfish are the only happy ones that Dave has passed on. A memorial service for Dave Reitz will be held at Montgomery UMC on Saturday, July 22 at 11:00AM followed immediately by a luncheon. The address is: 28325 Kemptown Road, Damascus, MD 20872 In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Hospice of the Chesapeake.