Dr. Marion Anthony Romitti
Dr. Marion Anthony Romitti, 88, of Altoona, died Monday, April 18, 2022, at Ramsey Village in Des Moines. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 26 at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 405 Gerald St., Madrid. Burial arrangements are pending.
Marion was born in Madrid and graduated with the Madrid High School Class of 1951. Marion worked locally until being drafted into the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and serving as an “Atomic Veteran” during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he used the GI Bill to attend Drake University.
In 1959 Marion received his bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in biology and later received his master’s degree in guidance counseling, both from Drake University. He worked at Firestone during college.
A skilled baseball player, Marion was a four-year Drake baseball letterman and named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference Baseball team. He was also named to the Drake University Baseball Team of the Century. In 1961, he began working as a teacher-counselor at Twin Cedars in Bussey. In 1964, he went to work at Centerville Community College, now Indian Hills Community College, for nine years. He married Linda Heithoff on May 15, 1965, in Manning. He returned to Madrid in 1973 to assume the role of superintendent of Madrid Community Schools. He continued his education at Drake and received his doctorate in educational administration in 1975. He retired on June 30, 1998, after 25 years in that position.
Romitti provided decades of active service to his church, school and community. Some highlights included: Madrid Library Board, parish director for St. Malachy Catholic Church, Madrid Lions Club past president and member of the Vittoria Lodge.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Barry Romitti (Yvonne) and Marty Romitti (Angil); and other relatives.
Marion was born in Madrid and graduated with the Madrid High School Class of 1951. Marion worked locally until being drafted into the U.S. Army from 1953-1955 and serving as an “Atomic Veteran” during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he used the GI Bill to attend Drake University.
In 1959 Marion received his bachelor’s degree in education with an emphasis in biology and later received his master’s degree in guidance counseling, both from Drake University. He worked at Firestone during college.
A skilled baseball player, Marion was a four-year Drake baseball letterman and named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference Baseball team. He was also named to the Drake University Baseball Team of the Century. In 1961, he began working as a teacher-counselor at Twin Cedars in Bussey. In 1964, he went to work at Centerville Community College, now Indian Hills Community College, for nine years. He married Linda Heithoff on May 15, 1965, in Manning. He returned to Madrid in 1973 to assume the role of superintendent of Madrid Community Schools. He continued his education at Drake and received his doctorate in educational administration in 1975. He retired on June 30, 1998, after 25 years in that position.
Romitti provided decades of active service to his church, school and community. Some highlights included: Madrid Library Board, parish director for St. Malachy Catholic Church, Madrid Lions Club past president and member of the Vittoria Lodge.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Barry Romitti (Yvonne) and Marty Romitti (Angil); and other relatives.
