Fred A. Rietbrock, age 96, of Warrensburg passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at his home.

He was born October 24, 1924 in Wausau, WI the son of Fredrick J. and Eva (Waldron) Rietbrock. He graduated from East Troy High School in 1942. After high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and transferred to the Army Air Corp where he served as radio operator and navigator. He trained in Maryville, MO and California before serving in Okinawa.

Fred met Caroline Kalb, the love of his life, in June of 1949. They married on August 5, 1950 and celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary this past August.

Fred earned his bachelor's degree from Wisconsin State Teachers College in 1950 and taught in Burlington, Coleman, and Peshtigo, Wisconsin. He taught, coached basketball and football, and served as elementary principal in Peshtigo.

He earned his master's and doctorate in Educational Administration from Colorado State College (now University of Northern Colorado) in 1963.

Fred moved to Warrensburg in August of 1964 and was on the faculty at the University until his retirement in 1988. He was a Phi Delta Kappa honoree for over 40 years of service to education. Fred was on leave from CMSU from 1966-68 to represent the University of Northern Colorado and the US Agency for International Development in Dacca East Pakistan where he established the doctoral program in educational administration for the Institute of Education, University of Dacca, Dacca East Pakistan. The entire family moved to Dacca and was able to experience living and traveling in many foreign countries.

After retirement, Fred and Carol enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends throughout the U.S. and Canada and took several international trips simply for pleasure. They wintered for many years in Texas and would always spend Christmas with family before heading south.

Fred is survived by his wife Carol Rietbrock of Warrensburg; two daughters Mary Rietbrock of Warrensburg and Carol Ann Matthias (Dr. L. Russell) of Blue Springs; 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow in Warrensburg Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Sacred Heart Catholic Church and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home.