Dr. Raymond Bitzer RIP

I'm feeling very out of touch with the goings on in Ridgewood as I only heard yesterday about the passing of my lifelong dentist. It didn't matter where I lived, I would always made it a point to return to his office. If I had seen another dentist in the interim I would usually have to mention how the other dentist during my initial visit had wanted to remove all four of my wisdom teeth. This happened on more than one occasion and Dr. Ray's response was always the same, "Do they bother you?"  and "Make sure he is going to save the teeth next to the wisdom teeth." It was Dr. Ray's way of not criticizing someone in the profession and to gently remind that he had been watching my teeth all my life. My wisdom teeth have never bothered me and remain inside my mouth. This is just the way things work sometimes. Fortunately, I have always had a touchstone to gauge the wisdom of dental practitioners, and still do as I regularly visit his son, Bruce who has been a long time member of the practice.

Dr. Raymond L., Jr. of Ridgewood, died suddenly on Wednesday, January 14, 2015. He was 88 years old.
Born on July 17, 1926 to the late Raymond L Bitzer Sr. and Helen Bitzer, he grew up in both Haddonfield, NJ and Ocean City, NJ. 
He was a WWII Navy Veteran, and attended the University of Pennsylvania where he received both his undergraduate and dental degrees. He graduated with honors and was inducted into Omi Cron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He was also a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry.
Upon graduation he moved to Ridgewood, NJ and set up his private practice. He has been practicing dentistry in the Village for the last 60 years, and the last 28 years with his son Bruce. He also served on the faculty of Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dental Medicine for many years.
He was a golf enthusiast and member of both Ridgewood Country Club and Pine Valley Golf Club. He was a longtime member of West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, NJ.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeune Blocher Bitzer. His daughter, Jane Bitzer French of Ridgewood, and grandchildren Olivia, Mark Jr, and William. His son Raymond L Bitzer III of Cincinnati, Ohio and his wife Barbara (Fran) and grandchildren Katie, Liz and Amy. His son Bruce W Bitzer and wife Laureen of Ridgewood, and grandchildren Jennifer and Bradley. And, daughter Barbara Bitzer Kruger and husband Len of Delray Beach, FL.

40th Reunion Photos

     I took a hiatus and had the blog in private mode for a few weeks while I determined what to do with the hundreds of gigabytes of video in my possession from the 40th Reunion. Not to mention the hundreds of photos sent to me and posted on Facebook.

      To go from a situation 5 years ago where we had essentially no video of either the band's performance, or that of the attendees, to one where there is more than one person can easily edit is actually a good place to be.

      I have also personally been dealing with various illnesses and setbacks which needed my full attention. More than one family member remains in chronic pain with little on the horizon that I can do about it except get on with my own life. This realization falls upon each of us at some point in our lives and there is no one truism or course of action that is best for everyone. All I can suggest is you find solace where you can, endure what you must, and make plans for the future. You can also look at these pictures of happy people.

Jane Ratliff and Maureen Weiner

April Reedy, Rhys Dill, Eileen Turner, Laura Saltamach

Cindy Neidig and younger brother Jeff Neidig

The Mt Carmel Cohort.

From left to right: Frank O'Connor, Caren O'Neill, Roy Townsend, Rob Lane, Paul Eppley, Lynn Smotzer, Eileen Turner, Mike Mulhern, Barry Gainey, Chris Richard, John Frazza, Tom Clark, Eileen Turner

Kathy O'Connell with hands on hips. Jill Bristow seated.

Late night. McKinley#1, Bob Brierly, Jim Perez, Tim McGill, Bill Nolan, McKinley#2, and Mark Brown

The Pavilion

The Big Tent