Fred Henry Rietcheck, age 89, passed away on October 8, 2012 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays. He was born in Angelus, KS to Henry John and Magdalen (Polley) Rietcheck on January 21, 1923.

He was a WW II pilot, and flew the B-17 and B-29 bomber planes. After the war, Fred and Frank Wieland, a Navy pilot, started the first airport in Oakley. They gave flying lessons and sold airplanes. Fred did crop dusting in an open cockpit Stearman, and had the Civil Air Patrol.

On October 27, 1947 he married Julia Catherine Cooksey in Grainfield. They raised five sons and identical twin daughters: Roger of Lawton, OK, Tom of Lake Tahoe, NV, John of San Francisco, CA, Jerry of Lawrence, KS and Jane Rietcheck of Oakley. A son, David and daughter Joan (Baalman) preceded him in death.

Fred and Leo Von Lintel purchased the Oakley Gas Service in the early 1950's. They did electrical work, heating and air conditioning, and sold appliances and propane. Fred served on the Oakley City Council, Oakley Country Club Board, St. Joseph's School Board and fund raising board; he was also on the Oakley Trap Club Board, and was instrumental in starting and building the Trap Club. Fred loved to fish, hunt, trap shoot, and shoot prairie dogs. He was the Kansas State Champion Trap Shooter, back in the day.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. God has truly blessed his family by giving him to us. In addition to his wife and children, he leaves 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, and sister Mary Lou Schroeder of Watkins, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, son David and daughter Joan, brothers Don Rietcheck, Fr. Bob Rietcheck, and Fr. Jerry Rietcheck, and sister Rosalie Jolly.