Walter Fred Reitmeyer

Walter Fred Reitmeyer Jr., 84, of Galloway, NJ, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Born in 1941 in Pleasantville, NJ, Fred, as he was known to most, was the only child of his parents, the late Walter F. Reitmeyer Sr. and Mary Frances (Adams). He grew up idolizing his maternal grandfather, the legendary South Jersey boatbuilder Carl Adams, and it was Adams who sparked Fred’s lifelong interest in fishing, duck hunting and decoy carving.

Fred was a prolific carver of traditional wooden duck decoys, shorebirds and model sneakboxes. Following his lengthy career working as a financial analyst at the South Jersey Gas Co., Fred regularly volunteered at the Tuckerton Seaport, where he shared his love for carving, hunting and his Pine Barrens heritage with visitors and school groups. Among other awards and recognitions, Fred served twice as master carver for the New Jersey State Council on the Arts folk art apprenticeship program; had his carvings displayed in the New Jersey State Museum in 2008-2009; and also represented New Jersey at the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in Washington, D.C. in 2004.

Fred was a devoted husband to Susan (Johnson), with whom he raised their four children. Fred and Susan were inseparable companions, and they were looking forward to celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary later this year, as well the nation’s 250th anniversary, as respective members of the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution.

Fred was a graduate of Monmouth College, and a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church at Absecon, where he served for decades as an usher. He was also a longtime member of the New Jersey Decoy Collectors Association and the Shur Shot Gun Club, and he formerly served as a leader with Boy Scouts of America Troop 76.

Fred is survived by his wife and four children, Lynne Reitmeyer Van Daley (Shawn), Robert Reitmeyer (Susan), John Reitmeyer (Mai), and Jennifer Holcombe (Andrew); and his five beloved grandchildren, Clay Van Daley, Mary and Colleen Reitmeyer, and Bailey and Tanner Holcombe (Gianna). He is also survived by niece, Michele Wheatley (Bill) and nephew, Stephen Brown (Beverly).

Visitation will be 7PM to 9PM on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Parsels Funeral Home, 324 New Jersey Ave., Absecon.  A memorial visitation will be 11:30AM to 12:30PM on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the United Methodist Church at Absecon. A celebration of life service will follow at 12:30PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church at Absecon or the Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum. For online condolences, please visit www.parselsfh.com.