Obituary of Russell W. Gettig

Russell Wolfe Gettig, 89, of Boalsburg, died on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Born on July 15, 1925 in Braddock, PA, he was the son of John J. and Anna M. Beezer Gettig. Russell is survived by his wife of 65 years, Regina D. Beauseigneur Gettig and their three children, Dr. Russell R. Gettig and wife Barbara of Averill Park, NY; Jeannie Carol Smothers of Fredericksburg, TX; and Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Rodney W. Gettig and wife Dana of Fayetteville, PA, and by seven grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Jack Gettig; one sister, Anna Mae; daughter-in-law Annette (Shoen) Gettig; and son-in-law, Frank Smothers. Russell attended Clearfield High School and was drafted into the United States Army as a Rifleman on 8 February 1944, before his high school graduation took place; later receiving his diploma in absentia. He trained at Camp White, Oregon before moving to Camp San Luis Obispo in California where his unit was trained in amphibious warfare, then moved on to Hawaii for jungle training. At 10:00 AM on the morning of 20 October 1944, in the position of platoon radio man, Company C, 383rd Regimental Combat Team of the 96th Infantry Division (Deadeyes), Russell was in the first wave of solders to hit the ‘Orange’ beach on Leyte Island in the initial assault landing to begin the retaking of the Philippines. After moving about a mile inland under fire through jungles and swamps he was struck in the leg by a bullet from a sniper’s rifle at first light on the morning of 21 October 1944. Evacuated initially to a field hospital in New Guinea, he later was treated at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii and Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco before receiving his final treatment and being discharged from the Army at Tilton General Hospital, Fort Dix, New Jersey on 11 October 1945. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his combat wounds. He also received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Battle Stars. Russell attended Penn State University receiving an Associate Degree in Agriculture in 1952. He began work for HRB in State College in 1953 where he worked 18 years having started their photographic lab and leading a five person photographic team. He then worked as the staff photographer for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for the next 17 years retiring in 1988. His photos can occasionally still be seen in issues of the Pennsylvania Angler. His hobbies were many and varied and included camping with his family, hunting and fishing with his two sons, gardening, wood working, traveling, constructing and flying model airplanes, studying American history, reading and model railroading. Visitation will be 6:00p.m. to 8:30p.m on Friday, April 10, 2015, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be held at 2:30p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church, 305 N Church St, Boalsburg, with the Reverend Brent Book officiating. Burial will be in Boalsburg Cemetery. A meal will be provided for friends and family at the church following the graveside service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 9, Boalsburg, PA 16827 in memory of Russell Wolfe Gettig. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com