Family, friends recall life of James Reifert

REMEMBERING:
Over a hundred mourners visited a rosary service for Dr. James Reifert. Daughter Vicki Reifert, left, and sister-in-law Beverly Reifert talk about James Reifert near a collection of family photos.

The late Dr. James Reifert was remembered fondly by family and friends who attended a memorial and rosary for him Wednesday, Feb. 4, at Sacred Heart Parish in Anderson.

With such a prominent position in the community as doctor, and having ten children and 17 grandchildren, it's little wonder that over a hundred people were on hand. Everyone gathered in the lobby around photos and knick-knacks that reminded them of aspects of James Reifert.

"Everything I see here reminds me how much of a family-oriented person he was," said Richard Ashe, who grew up across the street from Reifert in Cottonwood.

"He never traveled on interstates, only on side roads," sister-in-law Beverly Reifert said of Reifert's constant curiosity and interest in history. "He would be stopping constantly ... and he loved cemeteries."

Reifert's grandchildren recalled his model trains and his jokes.

Jim Seale, who read scriptures at the memorial, recalled visiting the back door of Reifert's medical practice to get complimentary care for poison oak.

"He was the doctor to call when there was no money," Reifert's daughter, Mary Cheek said, adding that her father once accepted a chicken for payment.

"He was the last small-town country doctor," Sharlet Seale said. "Going to a different doctor was like going to a different church."

"People came to him for comfort, not just for health problems but for comfort," said his daughter Aileen Gustafson, who added that Reifert himself received a great deal of hospice care and comfort from the Lambert family in Redding.

Not only a community doctor, Reifert served as doctor for Anderson Union High School and Shasta College. He was also involved in the Lions Club, Knights of Colombus, Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce and Cottonwood Union Elementary School Board, according to Wanda McAuliffe of Cottonwood.

Many remembered Reifert's straightforward yet thorough answers to questions.

During the memorial, Paul Walther illustrated that quality of Reifert's with a story about hunting together. Walther said that he and Reifert, among others, were camping after shooting two deer. The deer were hung and skinned. When one of the men wondered aloud how a particular heart surgery was performed, Reifert volunteered, "Well, I'll show you." Walther said Reifert continued to demonstrate the surgery using the deer while the men gathered around, fascinated to see how it was done."

Family and friends spoke of Reifert's prominence in the community, and of the compassion shown by the one people hailed as, "Hey, Doc."