Don’s Word

Don Rittner was born in the little coal mining village of Galizaton, PA, but left at age 2 because his dad could not get a job after they closed the coal mines. Moved to Troy, NY and stayed there until after college. Schooled at University of Albany (Anthropolgy/environmental science) and RPI (Urban and environmental planning). Also took a year course in electron microscopy at the VA hospital in Albany. Was the Albany City Archeologist in the 70s. Spent more than 20 years researching and saving the Albany Pine Bush; has written 27 books; over a thousands articles, and now is president of a non profit that built a replica of the first ship built in NYS in 1614, the Onrust (www.theonrust.com). He currently is the Schenectady County and City Historian. There’s more on Wilkipedia.