Obituary of Harold Rutenbar

Harold “Buzz” Fay Rutenbar, 93

Lakeland-Harold “Buzz” Fay Rutenbar went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2021. Buzz was born on August 12, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to George and Fern (Simpson) Rutenbar. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1950 from Wayne State University, after graduating from Redford High School in Detroit. During his senior year of college, he became a member of the .400 Club, an elite group of baseball players who hit .400 or better in a single year.

On June 24, 1950 he married his longtime sweetheart Marjorie (McKay) and together they celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2020. Buzz proudly served in the U.S. Army for 2 years during the Korean War. He worked for General Motors in Flint, MI, retiring in 1980. Buzz and Marge moved to Schalamar Creek in Lakeland in 1994 where they fully enjoyed their retirement. They spent their days with friends and family golfing, playing cards, singing both with the Schalamar Singers, and Faith Baptist Church. He was a dedicated member of Faith Baptist Church in Winter Haven where he served in a number of capacities. He loved working with young people serving as a mentor for dozens in their development as Christians. You could often find him at Bartow girls’ softball games where he cheered on not only his granddaughters, but all of the girls on the team. He enjoyed talking to the players after the game and was known as their biggest supporter.

He loved his family and spending time with them. Surviving are his sons: Mike (Patty) and Glenn (Cheryl), his grandchildren: Drew (Jess) Rutenbar, Mackenzie (Jason) Watson, Kelli (Adam) Ward, and Kara (Cody) Hatmaker, 8 great grandchildren, his sisters: Mary Lou Rutenbar and Shirley Tibbenham, and many nieces and nephews.

Proceeding him in death were his parents, his wife Marge, and his brother George Rutenbar.

The family would like to thank the staffs at The Manor at Lake Morton, Vitas Hospice Care, and Opis Highland Lake Center. Their care and dedication assisted both Buzz and Marge in their final years.

A memorial service honoring both Buzz and Marge Rutenbar will be held at Faith Baptist Church (2140 Crystal Beach Rd. Winter Haven) on June 17th. Visitation will be from 6-7:00 pm with the service following at 7:00 pm. Memorials may be sent to Faith Baptist Church or to the Polk Education Foundation, The Harold and Marge Rutenbar Softball Scholarship Fund.