GERITZ, Charles Richard (Dick)

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Thursday, April 11, 2013 Charles Richard "Dick" Geritz lost his battle with cancer March 26, 2013 in Prescott, Ariz. Dick was born in Atchison, Kan. on Dec. 14, 1932 to Jennie (Peak) and Henry Geritz. He attended grade school and high school in Atchison, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo. He also attended Central Missouri State College, and Arizona State College, now Northern Arizona University. Dick enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1950 at the age of 17. He was a combat veteran of the Korean War, serving in the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, one of the first units deployed to Korea (later re-designated the 5th Marine Regiment). Dick achieved the rank of Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Dick saw action as a rifleman and a radio operator in an ANGLICO unit, fighting at the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, the Battle of Inchon, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, as well as Operation Killer and Operation Ripper. Dick's greatest joy was spending time outdoors in his beloved Southwest with his children and grandchildren. Together, they enjoyed camping, metal detecting, panning for gold, searching out ghost towns and exploring the wilderness. An avid lifelong sportsman, expert hunter and fisherman, Dick once collected a trophy pronghorn antelope that is registered in the Boone and Crockett record book. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Hank and his sister Norma. He will be greatly missed by his family, sons Rick and Kurt (Jodi); daughters Jennifer (Mike), Lauryn (Kelly) and Carolyn (Neil); and grandchildren Andrea (Nico), Taylor, Ariel, Riely and Maddie. Our dad loved his family, his country, and was proud to be a Marine. Semper Fi, Pops. Services will be private and the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, his favorite charity. www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Information provided by survivors.