John Berthold Nicholas Lutenbacher

John Berthold Nicholas Lutenbacher (89), native of New Orleans, passed away on May11, 2014, after a brave and courageous battle with several medical conditions. Living also in Long Beach, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama, he retired from the naval reserves with the rank of Commander in July 1968. He served in World War II as a Navy bomber pilot flying SPDs, and finally retiring after twenty-four years of loyal and dedicated service to his country. He also retired in 1984 from AT&T as an Operations Manager with over thirty-seven years of service.
He graduated from Tulane University in 1948, and, during his career with BellSouth, he earned a degree from the Wharton School of Business.
He was a very active Rotarian for over forty years, serving in 1984 as district governor for Louisiana and Mississippi. He was a Paul Harris fellow and served on several international committees in the fight for the eradication of polio worldwide. He was a powerful and inspirational speaker as he advocated for an end to this deadly but preventable disease. The Shots for Tots program honored him with the Diaper Pin award for being the most dedicated non-medical supporter of the program. He also served a year as president of the Louisiana chapter of the Telephone Pioneers.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was affectionately known as Opa (grandfather in German) and Mr. Fixit, for he could fix or build almost anything, including building his first home in New Orleans.
John lived his life with great joy and love, and he loved fishing, hunting, gardening, golf, woodworking, and, especially, playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren on his and Yvonne's farm in Mississippi. He loved to take the young ones fishing and to give them rides in the cart behind ""Opa's tractor."" He loved growing vegetables and gave most of them away to family and friends. He was loved and respected by all and never made an enemy. He will be sorely missed and was loved by many more, as he never met a stranger, always giving more of himself to others than was ever expected. He truly made a difference in the lives of many people and will continue to live in their hearts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cecile Lutenbacher, and his brothers, David Lutenbacher and Stanley Lutenbacher.
He is survived by his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Yvonne Fontcuberta Lutenbacher, brother Harold Lutenbacher, son John (Jay) Lutenbacher, daughter Cindy Lutenbacher, grandchildren Laura Ann Pitts, John Lutenbacher, Jr., Rocio Lutenbacher, and Nikki Lutenbacher, and great-grandchildren Andrew, Matthew, Mary Alice, John III, Blake, and Connor.
Visitation will be at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd, Long Beach, Mississippi, Tuesday, May 13th, from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening. The funeral will also be at the Riemann chapel at 11:00 Wednesday morning, May 14thwith visitation from 10:00am until the service at 11:00am. A graveside service will follow in the City Cemetery in Long Beach.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Rotary PolioPlus Fund in memory of John Lutenbacher and his work to end polio in the world.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com.