Obituary of Thomas R. Riethof

Thomas Robert Riethof, of Harleysville, PA, previously of Lafayette Hill, PA, passed away on September 12, 2021 at the age of 94.

Tom was born on July 29, 1927 in Teplice, Czech Republic. He continued growing up in London, England, and Quito, Ecuador. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1945. Tom graduated from Manchester College and earned his doctorate from Purdue University. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Louise (Vance) Riethof, served in the Army Medical Services Corps, and then spent his professional career with General Electric, working on leading edge missile and space technology.

Tom was a devoted long-time volunteer with the American Red Cross, where he helped coordinate disaster responses, and with the Whitemarsh Community Ambulance Association, where he was an EMT/driver and treasurer. Dr. Riethof was a member of the Philadelphia First Church of the Brethren where he also served as treasurer. In his spare time, Tom was an exceptionally avid ham radio operator, bird watcher and world traveler.

Tom was the cherished uncle of Peter and Tony Weida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Marie Riethof, his wife Mary Louise (Vance) Riethof, and his sister, Elisabeth (Riethof) Weida.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, September 24th from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Peter Becker Community Chapel, 800 Maple Ave., Harleysville, PA, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Facemasks are required to enter the facility.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Whitemarsh Community Ambulance Association by clicking here or the American Red Cross by clicking here.

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home of Conshohocken, East Norriton and Trappe.  610-277-1600 msrfh.com