Julius “Bear” Reinitzer was born June 14th, 1928 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. He passed away in Litchfield, NH on September 20th, 2023. He was 95 years old. Julius is survived by his loving family, 2  daughters, Elaine and Ilona, 4 grandchildren, Adrien, Jillian, Savannah, and Sierra, 1 great-grandchild, Boden, and sons-in-law Peter Blaser and Paul Miller. Born and raised in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Julius was put into a labor camp by the Nazis and forced to work for them in Poland and Russia. When the Russians overran the Germans in 1945he returned to Prague and worked with the underground in the   Liberation. In 1950 he was wounded in a shootout with the Czech Communist Police, arrested, and sentenced to 14 years in prison for working with the United States Intelligence Service. After several unsuccessful escape attempts, he was further sentenced to life imprisonment. He finally escaped to West Germany in 1952 and joined the United States Army as a Lodge Act Soldier. Julius became one of the original members of the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) where he served with distinction for 30 years retired at the rank of Sergeant Major and earned his nickname of “Bear”. He served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam.

He enjoyed traveling and skiing in his younger years. In his later years, Julius delighted in enjoying good food with his family and friends and hosted many birthday parties at one of his favorite places, the Merrimack VFW Post 8641.

His predeceased family includes his wife, Helga, and his brothers Jiri and Jan.