William Richard Reytar Jr.

William Richard Reytar, Jr., 77, resident of Laurel, MD died June 4, 2016 at home after a brief illness. He was born January 5, 1939 in Hazelton, PA to the late William R. Reytar, Sr. and Nora Harrington Reytar.

He was a 1956 graduate of Weatherly High School in Weatherly, PA and 1963 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He began work at Westinghouse Electric Corporation and transitioned to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 1965.  He was part of the tracking team that supported the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar mission, based at the Parkes Observatory in Parkes, Australia.  He continued his career with the Federal Aviation Administration on airport surveillance radar systems until he retired in 2014 after 47 years of service with the federal government.  

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Marie S. Reytar of Laurel, MD; daughters Amy Elizabeth of Savage, MD, and Kathleen Maria of Gettysburg, PA; granddaughter Clarissa Grace Avelar of Savage, MD; and sister Adele Wells of South Hadley, MA.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Noreen Pucher of Leola, PA and parents. He was an avid fisherman, boater, and traveler. 

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church 114 St Mary's Place Laurel, Maryland 20707 on Thursday, June 9th from 10:30 until 11:30 am at which time a funeral mass will be held. Cremation services to follow will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to St. Mary of the Mills School 106 St Mary's Place Laurel, Maryland 20707.

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