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George M. Rhetts
February 29, 1924 ~ December 16, 2017 (age 93) 93 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Cathy Hendricks
February 5, 2018 10:44 AM
To George’s extended family and innumerable friends, please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of this wonderful man. It is impossible to imagine a world without George Rhetts. I worked for and with George from 1975 to 1979, and I find it difficult to express what an impact he had on me, but let me try.
The day I started at RCA Marion (a transfer from the Bloomington plant), George took me on a tour of the plant with the intent of meeting people I needed to know in my job, which was employee relations representative and plant magazine and newsletter editor. As we left the personnel area on our way to the plant floor, George said to me, with a completely straight face, “I would appreciate it if you would like the people I like and not the the people I don’t like.” This struck me as both bold and hilarious, and I had to look at him to see if he was kidding. I believe he was, but also that he was not. This, and the other statement I remember from that first day, gave me great insight into the character of the man that was to be my boss, as he told me, “The nicest thing I can say about a person is that he (or she) is a hard worker.”
As I worked with George I found him to be one of the most delightful people I’ve ever known. He became a mentor for me and taught me so much, not only about personnel relations (that’s what we called it back then), but also about people and how to deal with them. Most of these lessons came simply by observing George being George. While he certainly rubbed elbows with “the bigwigs,” he was as common as the folks out on the floor, respecting everyone as an individual, and teaching by example to do the same.
He helped me get better at photography and processing photos, even though I complained to him unceasingly about how the chemicals were ruining my hands! He was happy to comment on my articles, but appreciated my skill and experience enough that he left it up to me to be the editor I was paid to be. As time progressed and I was allowed to work “through the chairs” (RCA terminology for reps who were gaining experience in several areas of personnel with the intention of one day becoming a manager), he offered guidance about company policy and advice about how to deal with problems that inevitably came up almost daily.
George was more than a boss and co-worker, though. He was a friend. My husband Merv and I had the pleasure of spending time with George and Rose at their home on more than one occasion. We shared the excitement of the 1976 Hoosier basketball team’s undefeated year on the way to its NCAA championship, and that Hoosier connection continued after I left RCA.
On one occasion, George invited us to go with him to a Pacers game at Market Square Arena. He supplied the tickets and graciously offered to drive. I don’t remember how the game came out, but I do remember that by the time we left the arena, dense fog had taken over the whole of central Indiana, and it was nearly impossible to see anything on the road on the way home. I admit I was pretty scared, but George attacked that drive like it was just another challenge, never expressing a bit of fear or trepidation, just keeping the car steady and on the road, and delivering us safely back home after what seemed like hours!
In 1979, as Merv and I were expecting the birth of our first child, the office organized a pool...when would Cathy have her baby? George picked April 8th, nearly three weeks earlier than the doctor’s predicted due date, and wouldn’t you know, on April 8th, Andrew Brandon arrived. I remember in my room at Wabash Hospital thinking, “Darn that George, he was right. How did he do that?” Three years later, after I had left RCA, I was pregnant again, and by golly George’s prediction that time was just one day off from Emily Laura’s actual birthdate of April 4th (also nearly three weeks early). At some point, George revealed his technique to me. I’m reluctant even now to give his secret away! In January 2017 he wrote me one of his wonderful letters with the intent of confirming his amazing ability to predict a baby’s birthdate for his granddaughter Katie, and I was happy to do that for him.
And, oh those letters! Over the years I came to look forward to George’s Christmas missives - a mix of travelogue, gossip, family update and philosophy, capped off with a greeting that almost felt like a blessing. I did have trouble keeping up with the family...especially after he and his dear Ruth married and there were “new” children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends’ names and locations visited and visiting. But those greetings continued to be a delight.
Then there were the letters I received out of the blue that had me smiling from the minute I saw the envelope until hours after I had read them. One of these, dated June 2012, started out, “I got to thinking today that I had not heard from Cathy Hendricks lately and perhaps this may indicate how much she would like to hear from me. And you perhaps know how much I like writing letters because I get to do all of the talking.” That kind of says it all!
George was to this day one of the best storytellers I have ever known. And I’m pretty sure he knew everyone in Marion, Indiana. If you wanted to know anything about anyone, he was happy to tell it, and loved to do so even if you didn’t want to know! His letters were like that.
He would share stories and opinions...updating me on RCA folks and the disposition of the plant itself, his (and maybe Ruth’s) recent visits to the doctor, golfing with Bernie and his other buddies, politics and the state of the world in general. Here and there he would include a political cartoon or comic strip or interesting article, as he would have if you had been sitting with him reading the morning paper.
Opening those envelopes surely was an adventure, and I’ll miss getting new ones. But as I reread the letters I’ve saved, I’ll be ever reminded of and grateful for knowing my dear mentor and friend George Rhetts.
The day I started at RCA Marion (a transfer from the Bloomington plant), George took me on a tour of the plant with the intent of meeting people I needed to know in my job, which was employee relations representative and plant magazine and newsletter editor. As we left the personnel area on our way to the plant floor, George said to me, with a completely straight face, “I would appreciate it if you would like the people I like and not the the people I don’t like.” This struck me as both bold and hilarious, and I had to look at him to see if he was kidding. I believe he was, but also that he was not. This, and the other statement I remember from that first day, gave me great insight into the character of the man that was to be my boss, as he told me, “The nicest thing I can say about a person is that he (or she) is a hard worker.”
As I worked with George I found him to be one of the most delightful people I’ve ever known. He became a mentor for me and taught me so much, not only about personnel relations (that’s what we called it back then), but also about people and how to deal with them. Most of these lessons came simply by observing George being George. While he certainly rubbed elbows with “the bigwigs,” he was as common as the folks out on the floor, respecting everyone as an individual, and teaching by example to do the same.
He helped me get better at photography and processing photos, even though I complained to him unceasingly about how the chemicals were ruining my hands! He was happy to comment on my articles, but appreciated my skill and experience enough that he left it up to me to be the editor I was paid to be. As time progressed and I was allowed to work “through the chairs” (RCA terminology for reps who were gaining experience in several areas of personnel with the intention of one day becoming a manager), he offered guidance about company policy and advice about how to deal with problems that inevitably came up almost daily.
George was more than a boss and co-worker, though. He was a friend. My husband Merv and I had the pleasure of spending time with George and Rose at their home on more than one occasion. We shared the excitement of the 1976 Hoosier basketball team’s undefeated year on the way to its NCAA championship, and that Hoosier connection continued after I left RCA.
On one occasion, George invited us to go with him to a Pacers game at Market Square Arena. He supplied the tickets and graciously offered to drive. I don’t remember how the game came out, but I do remember that by the time we left the arena, dense fog had taken over the whole of central Indiana, and it was nearly impossible to see anything on the road on the way home. I admit I was pretty scared, but George attacked that drive like it was just another challenge, never expressing a bit of fear or trepidation, just keeping the car steady and on the road, and delivering us safely back home after what seemed like hours!
In 1979, as Merv and I were expecting the birth of our first child, the office organized a pool...when would Cathy have her baby? George picked April 8th, nearly three weeks earlier than the doctor’s predicted due date, and wouldn’t you know, on April 8th, Andrew Brandon arrived. I remember in my room at Wabash Hospital thinking, “Darn that George, he was right. How did he do that?” Three years later, after I had left RCA, I was pregnant again, and by golly George’s prediction that time was just one day off from Emily Laura’s actual birthdate of April 4th (also nearly three weeks early). At some point, George revealed his technique to me. I’m reluctant even now to give his secret away! In January 2017 he wrote me one of his wonderful letters with the intent of confirming his amazing ability to predict a baby’s birthdate for his granddaughter Katie, and I was happy to do that for him.
And, oh those letters! Over the years I came to look forward to George’s Christmas missives - a mix of travelogue, gossip, family update and philosophy, capped off with a greeting that almost felt like a blessing. I did have trouble keeping up with the family...especially after he and his dear Ruth married and there were “new” children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends’ names and locations visited and visiting. But those greetings continued to be a delight.
Then there were the letters I received out of the blue that had me smiling from the minute I saw the envelope until hours after I had read them. One of these, dated June 2012, started out, “I got to thinking today that I had not heard from Cathy Hendricks lately and perhaps this may indicate how much she would like to hear from me. And you perhaps know how much I like writing letters because I get to do all of the talking.” That kind of says it all!
George was to this day one of the best storytellers I have ever known. And I’m pretty sure he knew everyone in Marion, Indiana. If you wanted to know anything about anyone, he was happy to tell it, and loved to do so even if you didn’t want to know! His letters were like that.
He would share stories and opinions...updating me on RCA folks and the disposition of the plant itself, his (and maybe Ruth’s) recent visits to the doctor, golfing with Bernie and his other buddies, politics and the state of the world in general. Here and there he would include a political cartoon or comic strip or interesting article, as he would have if you had been sitting with him reading the morning paper.
Opening those envelopes surely was an adventure, and I’ll miss getting new ones. But as I reread the letters I’ve saved, I’ll be ever reminded of and grateful for knowing my dear mentor and friend George Rhetts.
Message from Joyce and Tom Peters
December 19, 2017 11:21 AM
We are saddened to learn of George's death. For many years he was a good friend. In his many years at RCA he could be counted on to represent the company well in the community. We send our condolences to Ruth and the entire combined family.
Message from Bill Henry
December 18, 2017 6:09 PM
George Rhetts was a champion. His contributions to our community will always remain as examples of an excellent life of dedication and service. My deepest condolences to his family.
Message from Joseph W Himelick, Texas
December 19, 2017 11:04 AM
George's Family
There is no doubt that George will be missed by family and friends. His spirit of caring and giving will be noted by his absence by his family, friends and in the community
My fondest memories are the bus rides to the games and race tracks in George's school bus, we took turns driving while George played host. Some really great memories. It was a pleasure to have known George at RCA.
There is no doubt that George will be missed by family and friends. His spirit of caring and giving will be noted by his absence by his family, friends and in the community
My fondest memories are the bus rides to the games and race tracks in George's school bus, we took turns driving while George played host. Some really great memories. It was a pleasure to have known George at RCA.
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