Clarence George Reitnauer (November 12, 1900 — April 5, 1989) was an American German Reformed layman and prominent author in the

Pennsylvania German The Pennsylvania Dutch (Pennsylvania Dutch: ), also known as Pennsylvania Germans, are a cultural group formed by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. They emigrated primarily from German-spea ...

language. His dialect pseudonym was ''Der Shdivvel Knecht'' or ''Der Schtiwwelgnecht'', and he wrote for the Pennsburg ''Town and Country'' newspaper as a columnist beginning on October 6, 1966. He was a cabinetmaker and carpenter by trade, working for the Allen Organ Company. He was also a talented illustrator and amateur printer, popular for his Pennsylvania German-themed Christmas cards. Reitnauer was a frequent preacher at church services in the Pennsylvania German dialect and a speaker at

Fersommling A Fersommling (plural, Fersommlinge) (also spelled 'Versammling'' or Fersammling) is a Pennsylvania Dutch The Pennsylvania Dutch ( Pennsylvania Dutch: ), also known as Pennsylvania Germans, are a cultural group formed by German immigrants who ...

gatherings, as well as an actor with Die Deitsche Leit Schpieler of Huff's Church, Alburtis. He was the Seisholtzville correspondent for Allentown newspapers for 30 years. Reitnauer died in Macungie, Pennsylvania and is buried in the Rauch Hertzog Cemetery in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Bibliography

*(illustrator) ''Pennsylvania Dutch Almanac Beliefs: Printed in Conjunction with the Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Festival Which Is Held Annually at Kutztown, Pa.'' (1968) *''So Shreibt der Shdivvel Knecht'' (1975) *''Em Shdivvel Knecht Sei Werdta Buch'' (1976) *

Earl C. Haag Earl C. Haag (born June 24, 1929) is an American scholar and author in the Pennsylvania German language. His dialect pseudonym is ''Der Alt Professor.'' In 2010, his contributions to the field of German-American studies were recognized by The Soci ...

,
A Pennsylvania German Anthology
' (1988)

References

*Obituary, '' The Morning Call'', April 6, 1989, p. 41. *Obituary, ''The Morning Call'', April 7, 1989, p. 47.

External links

Grave
at Huff's Church {{DEFAULTSORT:Reitnauer, Clarence G. 1900 births 1989 deaths German-American history Pennsylvania Dutch people American writers in Pennsylvania Dutch Pennsylvania Dutch culture German language in the United States Journalists from Pennsylvania