November 26, 1942 ~ August 26, 2004
Resided in:
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
Born November 26, 1942, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Benjamin Chapell Getzelman and Nancy Fedou Getzelman passed away Thursday, August 26th 2004 in Palos Verdes, California. John was raised in Algonquin, Illinois and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Banking and later his MBA at the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. After college he married his beautiful wife, Rita Garvey from Denver, Colorado in 1963. Rita and John lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Philippines and Hong Kong and loved to travel the world. John was strongly admired as an international banker and financier for most of his life. John was a member of several board of directors including: the Richstone Foundation, El Camino College Foundation, the House Ear Institute and Operation Hope.
He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
John is survived by his wife Rita and three children, Jack Anne, and David, grandson Connor, child of Jack and Kirsten. He is also survived by his sister Gwen Sutfin of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Services will be held at St. John fisher Catholic Church at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 1, 2004 at 5448 Crest Rd. Rancho Palos Verdes, California, with interment following at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes.
In lieu flowers, contributions may be sent in care of John Getzelman to House Ear Institute;2100 West. Third St. Los Angeles, Ca 90057 or Richstone Foundation, 13634 Cordary Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
Guestbook
I was privileged to work with John for a few years. He was a great boss and a wonderful person, and I am proud to have known him as a friend. My sincere condolences are sent to his family at this sad time.
Rita and family, So sorry for your loss. John was a great person and good Foundation Board Member. He will be missed. If I can do anything for you please let me know. God Bless you.
It was an honor to get to know John through the El Camino College Foundation. He was a very bright and community minded gentleman. Stephanie Enright senright@enrightfinancial.com
I met John 3 years ago when he passed on his seat to me for the Board of directors for the Westfield park. He was a very kind man. I know he is in a better place now.