Max Benjamin Rittgers

Max Benjamin Rittgers, 83, passed away on February 3, 2022 at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center in Gainesville, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Elsie Rittgers, his eldest son Daniel Paul Rittgers and siblings Thomas Rittgers, Clarence Rittgers, David Rittgers, Lois Baggetto and Carolyn Clark.

He is survived by his son Rob Rittgers (Rayanne) and daughter Leicha SanMiguel.

Affectionately known as "Papa Max", he was the proud grandfather of Emilia SanMiguel, Max SanMiguel and Jeremiah SanMiguel. He is also survived by brother Philip Rittgers (Ruth), sister Bessie Black (Bob) and former son-in-law, Rob SanMiguel.

Max was a graduate of Boys Town - formerly known as Father Flanagan's Home for Boys - near Omaha, Nebraska where he returned often over the years and was a frequent guest speaker for alumni activities. It was his beloved high school football coach at Boys Town who helped him apply to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he attended on a full athletic scholarship and earned a Divisional Degree in Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Throughout his work history he and his family lived in Iowa, Minnesota, Georgia and Florida. In the mid-1970s the family moved to Atlanta where he attended Emory University's Candler School of Theology. He earned a Doctorate of Divinity Degree while serving as pastor of the Congregational Christian Church of LaGrange, Georgia.

After returning to Florida he served as the Senior Pastor for churches in St. Petersburg, Homosassa and Lakeland during his years with the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

In partnership with his son, Rob, he owned and operated the popular Dakotah Winery in Chiefland, Florida for many years. The winery was a fun place to visit where guests enjoyed feeding the koi fish and ducks in the pond out back. The tasting room was a place with a lot of historical items inside and everything had a story behind it.

January 14, 1996 was proclaimed by South Dakota Governor William J. Janklow as "Dr. Max Rittgers and Ben Day" lauding Max and his beloved Labrador Retriever, Ben, for their discovery of the Verendrye Plate which was placed by the Verendrye Expedition of 1742-1743. This finding was thought to be the earliest evidence of the first white men to reach the confluence of the Missouri and Cheyenne Rivers in South Dakota.

The plate was discovered in the muddy riverbanks following spring flooding by Max's dog, Ben, during a solo canoe trip.

The family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Haven Hospice. A memorial service will be held in the spring, after which cremains will be interred at the Rittgers Family Cemetery in Johnston, Iowa.