Rita Rye

Rita Rye, a beloved wife, mother, and business partner, passed away on August 27, 2022, after a brief health battle. Just under a year later, on July 20, 2023, her devoted husband, Palle Rye, followed her. Both lived long and full lives. Rita was born in Ribe, Denmark, the daughter of Ingemann Pedersen and Helene Jørgensen. Palle was born in Søraa, Denmark, in a rural farming community, the son of Valdemar Rye and Karla Hermansen. As young adults, both were eager to learn about the world around them. Rita worked for her father in his furniture store and also as a bank teller, developing interests in business and finance that would serve her well later in life. Palle's path included working in the Danish merchant marine with the East Asiatic Company and traveling to ports of call like Bombay, Ceylon, and Cairo. Upon his return home, he set his sights on becoming an engineer. Palle earned the money for college by enrolling in the Danish Air Force and achieved his goal, graduating with a mechanical engineering degree. Palle met Rita shortly after his return to Denmark, which is where the pair married and had two children, Birgitte and Peter. Little did they know that together they would embark on a life-changing journey. Palle's entrepreneurial spirit led their family on several adventures: first to Ontario, Canada, and then to Reading, Pennsylvania, where they purchased Brentwood Plastics, Inc. â€" now Brentwood Industries, Inc. â€" in 1975. Under their leadership and until their retirement in 2010, Brentwood grew in revenue from $1M to an impressive $99M. Rita was known for her kind and determined nature, while Palle's gregarious and creative spirit brought a vibrant energy to their lives. Together, they formed a formidable team, providing unwavering support to one another. Their relationships with Brentwood employees and business partners were of great importance to them, and they found immense fulfillment in these connections. Beyond their immediate family, it was these relationships that truly gave their lives meaning. Palle and Rita believed that the true measure of success lies in the connections we forge, the experiences we share, and the legacy we leave behind for future generations. They took great pride in the fact that Brentwood remains a family-owned and -operated business, with their children and grandchildren carrying on their legacy and setting new goals for the future. In their retirement, Palle and Rita most enjoyed spending time with family and visiting their favorite places. They traveled frequently to Florida, Maryland, and Denmark, often accompanied by family, creating memories along the way. They are survived by their children: Birgitte Sorensen, and her husband, Sev, of Wernersville, PA; and Peter Rye, and his wife, Leigh, of Reading, PA. Surviving grandchildren include Sam Sorensen, Caitlin Banta, and Oliver Rye. Palle and Rita were also elated to have spent time prior to their passing with their great-grandchildren, Astrid and Alice Banta. Rita is survived by one sister, Karen Madsen, and her husband, Erik, of Aalborg, Denmark. Palle is survived by a brother, Johannes Rye, and a sister, Stephanie Firanci, both of Copenhagen, Denmark. A celebration of life will be held for friends and family to share memories of the lives of Palle and Rita on August 13, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading (701 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19601) from 2-4pm. Please submit your RSVP here: https://bit.ly/Palle-and-Rita-Rye. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made in Palle & Rita's honor to the American Cancer Society, via Relay for Life, a cause that held personal significance to them.