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William Malcolm Rettberg

1940 - 2022

BORN

1940

DIED

2022

William Rettberg Obituary

William (Bill) Malcolm Rettberg, 81, of Middlefield, CT and Ormond Beach, Fla., husband of Judith (Gumbus) Rettberg, passed away peacefully in his home on December 6, 2022.

Born in Hartford in December 1940 to the late William August Rettberg and Flora (Anderson) Rettberg.

He is survived by his wife, Judith; former wife, Madeline DeVellis and their children, Pamela

Dawn (Timothy) Roe of Hilton Head Island, S.C., Kirk William Rettberg of Middlefield, and Eric

Christopher Rettberg of Haddam; sisters, Patricia Segroves of Naples, Fla., and Lynn Lord of Newington; 5 grandchildren including Rachel Roe of Washington, D.C., Lauren Roe of Jacksonville, Fla., Benjamin Roe of Hilton Head, S.C., and Tyler and Carly Rettberg both of Haddam; and several nieces and a nephew. He is also survived by 2 stepchildren, Elaine Barter and Edward Barter, both of Massachusetts.

Bill graduated from Newington High School and attended Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston as well as serving in the Air National Guard for 6 years. He was a successful entrepreneur with a service station in Wethersfield and later with a concrete and construction business in Middlefield. He was an avid antique collector of clocks and automobiles. He traveled to Indiana for years to show his 1931 Auburn. He also enjoyed restoring his 1750 colonial farmhouse in Middlefield in his spare time.

A celebration of life will be held for family and friends in the coming weeks.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Record-Journal from Dec. 23 to Dec. 24, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for William Rettberg

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5 Entries

Kathy Mary Gumbus

June 14, 2025

Sending belated sympathy to my sister Judith.

Jack Sterry Jr.

January 19, 2023

I send my heartfelt condolences to Carly, Tyler and Eric! My you carry Bill's memory in yoir heart forever. Continued Blessings! "Uncle" Jack

Patty will miss you so, you meant so much to my life, RIP

December 23, 2022

miss you RIP

Judy Sawyer

December 17, 2022

Lynn so very sorry for the loss if your brother Bill.

Elaine

December 16, 2022

Bill was a great companion, friend and husband for my mother Judy. They both shared passion for antiques, old cars, good friends and Florida. Rest in peace and comfort

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results

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