MONDAY, AUGUST 26 , 2019. THE WASHINGTON POST EZ RE B5
BY HARRISON SMITH
After Army service in World
War II brought him to China, a
young South Carolina native and
labor activist named Sidney Rit-
tenberg stayed on to help build a
new world power forged by a
communist revolution.
Mr. Rittenberg, who was 98
when he died Aug. 24 at a nurs-
ing center in Fountain Hills,
Ariz., became one of a handful of
Americans who lived behind the
lines of a country that developed
into a bitter Cold War enemy. He
was widely considered one of the
most powerful Westerners advis-
ing the Chinese government in
the 1950s and ’60s, but he paid a
steep price for his front-row van-
tage point. Mr. Rittenberg was
twice imprisoned and spent 16
years in solitary confinement,
swept up in the fickle tyranny
and convulsive whims of his
friend Mao Zedong.
On the surface, he was an
unlikely radical, the scion of a
politically prominent Charleston
family. But his scorn for Jim
Crow laws and authority shaped
his temperament as he became a
union organizer and Communist
Party member in the American
South.
‘I’m now part of history’
In China, he saw poverty and
suffering on a mass scale. A
chance encounter in 1946 with
Mao, founder of Communist Chi-
na, sealed his ambition to stay on.
“I walked in the door and there
he was,” Mr. Rittenberg later
recalled. “It was like a picture
right out of history, and under-
neath that was the feeling, ‘I’m
now part of history.’ ”
Easygoing and charismatic,
even in his second language,
Mr. Rittenberg developed a rap-
port with Mao and Zhou Enlai,
the Chinese Communist Party’s
second-in-command. They dis-
cussed life in America, played
cards and watched the English-
language films of Stan Laurel and
Oliver Hardy, two of Mao’s favor-
ite comedians, as Mr. Rittenberg
provided the translation.
After Mao’s seizure of power in
1949 over the corrupt
U.S.-backed Nationalist Party,
which enjoyed little support
among the population, Mr. Rit-
tenberg was rewarded with ap-
pointments at Chinese news and
propaganda agencies. His posi-
tions and his connections did not
save him from falling victim to
periodic crackdowns inflicted en
masse as Mao solidified his per-
sonality cult.
Mr. Rittenberg seemingly took
it in stride.
A stalwart supporter of the
regime, he believed that a little
violence was inevitable in a revo-
lution, even one ostensibly devot-
ed to peace and equality. “A
revolution is not like inviting
guests to dinner,” he said in “The
Revolutionary,” a 2012 documen-
tary about his life, paraphrasing
Mao. “It can’t be that civilized,
that courteous, that gracious,
that gentle.”
The communist leader’s death
in 1976, followed by a thaw in
relations with the United States,
accelerated Mr. Rittenberg’s re-
lease from jail for a second time.
He was feted as a celebrity in
China and was a figure of endur-
ing mystery, fascination and re-
pulsion back home, seen by many
as a naive and all-too-willing
participant in some of the Com-
munist regime’s gravest excesses.
For the remainder of his work-
ing life, he became an unofficial
ambassador between China and
the United States, a “translator of
cultures” fluent in the habits and
thinking of the East and the
West, said journalist Amanda
Bennett, who co-wrote his mem-
oir, “The Man Who Stayed Be-
hind” (1993).
“He is one of the few people
who understands why China
went through what it did,” added
Bennett, one of the Wall Street
Journal’s first correspondents in
China and current director of
Voice of America. “He was a
zealot,” she said, but he eventual-
ly “was able to step out of himself
and look at what had happened
and what was wrong with what
he believed.”‘There isn’t any justice’
Sidney Rittenberg Jr. was born
in Charleston on Aug. 14, 1921, to
a Jewish family steeped in poli-
tics. His paternal grandfather
emigrated from Lithuania and
served five terms in the state
House of Representatives. Mr.
Rittenberg’s father was president
of the Charleston City Council.
He attributed his activist lean-
ings to having witnessed police
officers brutalizing a black man
who had been seeking protection
from a drunken and abusive
white man. “I asked my aunt
about it,” he told People maga-
zine. “I told her, ‘It’s so unjust!’
She said, ‘There isn’t any justice.
You get what you pay for.’ ”
He briefly attended the Uni-
versity of North Carolina at Cha-
pel Hill but left to become a labor
organizer. His first wife, Violet, a
farmer’s daughter, divorced him
soon after he was conscripted
into the Army in 1942 and sent
overseas.
In an Army language training
program, he was said to have a
brilliant aptitude for languages
and Chinese in particular. In
1945, he landed in Kunming to
help the Nationalist government
with civil administration duties.
He was appalled by the corrup-
tion and dissolute attitude
toward the people, both by U.S.
and Nationalist troops.
In what he later called a turn-
ing point in his decision to re-
main in China, he investigated
the death of a rickshaw driver’s
daughter, killed by an Army ser-
geant who had been driving
drunk.
The Army compensated the
woman’s father with $26 — far
less than the $150 it had paid for
accidentally killing another
man’s horse. Even more horrify-
ing, he said, was the man giving
back $6 for what he assumed was
the expected kickback.
After his military discharge, he
worked in Shanghai for a United
Nations relief agency but was
appalled by the black marketeer-
ing of flour and other necessities
meant to help suffering peasants.
He soon found his way to the
Communists’ mountain redoubt
at Yan’an, where he met Mao.
Foreigners — among them the
American-born writer Anna Lou-
ise Strong and the American-
born physicist Joan Hinton —
“were kept around as kind of
ornaments,” said Orville Schell, a
China scholar at the nonprofit
Asia Society in New York City.
“That showed the Chinese com-
munist movement had an inter-
nationalist element.”
Known as Li Dunbai, the pho-
netic expression of “Rittenberg”
in Chinese, Mr. Rittenberg was
given a position at the party’s
official press agency. But just as
quickly, his friendship with
Strong, who had fallen out of
favor with leaders in Moscow
who held sway over Beijing at the
time, led to his own arrest in 1949
as one of her “spies.”
That led to a six-year term in
prison, which Mr. Rittenberg jus-tified as a test of his political
loyalty. His second wife, Wei Lin,
left him.
Upon his release, he said, Mao
and Zhou personally expressed
their regrets to him. He was given
an apartment with hot water —
among other luxuries — and
began advancing in the ranks of
the government’s propaganda
arm.
His support was unwavering
throughout the Great Leap For-
ward, a 1958-1962 campaign of
forced agricultural collectiviza-
tion and industrialization that
resulted in mass famine, and the
subsequent Cultural Revolution,
a terrifying witch hunt designed
to reinforce Mao’s primacy.
He praised Maoist thought at
massive rallies, readily joined in
publicly shaming many of his
friends and colleagues, wrote
scathing self-criticism and volun-
teered to perform physical labor
to demonstrate his loyalty to the
state and revolution.
In their book “The Wind Will
Not Subside: Years in Revolution-
ary China, 1964-1969,” scholars
Nancy and David Milton de-
scribed Mr. Rittenberg, invari-
ably wearing a brown corduroy
suit and disheveled tie, as “a man
with an undefined mystique of
power bestowed by the Chinese”
and who was highly sought after
by the entire foreign community
in Beijing “for information, ex-
pertise and wisdom.”Disillusionment and return
By early 1968, he was targeted
again as a Western spy, and he
attributed his arrest to Mao’s
scheming wife, Jiang Qing. It
took all his power not to fall into
despair as his third wife, Wang
Yulin, endured three years in a
labor camp and their children
were ostracized.
Mr. Rittenberg was released in
1977 soon after Jiang and others
in her faction, called the Gang of
Four, fell from grace and were put
on trial. The American was, once
again, set up in a comfortable
apartment in Beijing.
But he was tired and largely
disillusioned. In prison, he had
devised a Confucian-style saying
to apply to his own fate: “Man
who climbs out on limb should
listen carefully for sound of saw.”
He had retained his U.S. citi-
zenship all those years and re-
turned to the United States in
1979 with his wife and their
children. His family in South
Carolina had long written him off
as dead.
Adapting to the new, business-
friendly era, Mr. Rittenberg de-
veloped a role as a high-priced
fixer who could help American
executives glad-hand Chinese of-
ficials and sign new business
deals in the country. He served as
an indispensable middleman to
companies such as Prudential
Financial, American Internation-
al Group, Intel and Microsoft.
His death was confirmed in a
statement from his family, who
did not give a precise cause. In
addition to his wife, survivors
include four children, Jenny,
Toni, Sunny and Sidney Jr.; and
five grandchildren.
Mr. Rittenberg would come to
regard Mao as “a great hero and a
great criminal all rolled into one.”
And the course of his own life
epitomized the same ambivalent
legacy.
“I think that I chose the road I
did,” he wrote in his memoir,
“and stuck to it as long as I did
because, like so many others I
came to know, I genuinely be-
lieved it was the only way I could
help change the miserable lives
of people.”
[email protected]SIDNEY RITTENBERG, 98
Adviser to China’s Communist Party
obituaries
NELSON CHING/BLOOMBERG NEWSSidney Rittenberg was seen as one of the most powerful Westerners aiding Mao Zedong’s government.
IN MEMORIAM
HARRY G. BRADY
February 9, 1913 - August 26, 2003
In loving memory of HARRY G. BRADY
Decorated World War II veteran
Loving husband and father.
With love from your daughter, CathyBRADY
NANCY KATE HOOSIER
CUNNINGHAM
April 7, 1942 - August 26, 2002
We really miss you. Memories of you are
held dearly in our hearts.
Love you!
Gene, Deena and ChadCUNNINGHAM
DEATH NOTICE
HARRY ADLER
Of Clarksville, Maryland, passed away
on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the age of- He is survived by his best friend and
wife, Deborah Adler; daughter, Sarah
Adler and her husband, Sean Fierke;
siblings, Elaine and Andy Liss, Angele and
Ron Valentine, and Steve and Tudy Adler;
granddaughter, Ava Zahav; nieces and
nephews, Michelle, Lauren, Janelle, Gabe,
Ryan, Josh, and Mat; ; and his beloved family of
friends. He will be missed by his amazing dog
Eemah. He was predeceased by his parents
Rida and Jack Adler.
Funeral services will be held on Monday,
August 26, at 1 p.m. at Temple Isaiah: 12200
Scaggsville Road, Fulton, MD 20759. Interment
will take place at Columbia Memorial Park:
11895 Clarksville Pike, Columbia, Maryland. In
lieu of flowers, contributions to celebrate his
life may be sent to AIPAC -- American Israel
Public Affairs Committee: http://www.aipac.org or
Temple Isaiah: http://templeisaiah.org, 12200
Scaggsville Road, Fulton, Maryland 20759.
Shiva will take place at the family’s home
from Monday through Sunday with services at
7 p.m.
Arrangements by SOL LEVINSON & BROS., INC.
sollevinson.com
ADLER
JUANITA E.ATKINS
Departed this life on August 19, 2019. She is
survived by her sons Michael D. and Anthony
T. Atkins, grandchildren Michael Atkins, Jr.,
Michelle Atkins, Ellen Dunn, Brianna Atkins,
Lynn Atkins and Franki Atkins and a host of
other relatives and friends. Family will receive
friends on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 from
10 a.m. until time of service 11 a.m. at Stewart
Funeral Home 4001 Benning Road, NE. Inter-
ment Washington National Cemetery.
http://www.StewartFuneralHome.comATKINS
CARLOS BERENSTEIN
On Saturday, August 24, 2019,
Carlos Alberto Berenstein, of
Bethesda, MD. Beloved husband
of Elsa Berenstein; devoted
father of Nadia Berenstein (Rob-
bie Lee) and Ariel Berenstein;
cherished colleague, teacher,
and mentor to the community of mathe-
maticians at UMD College Park and beyond.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday,
August 28, 2019, 1 p.m. at Judean Chapel,
16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, MD
20832 with interment to follow. Family
will be observing Shiva at the home of
Elsa Berenstein following the service with
Minyan at 7:30 p.m. and resuming Thursday
from 5 to 9 p.m. with Minyan at 7:30
p.m. Memorial contributions may be made
to the Cure Alzheimers Fund (curealz.org).
Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Dan-
zansky Goldberg Funeral Care.
http://www.sagelbloomfield.comBERENSTEIN
THELMA SMALLWOOD FREEMAN BOYD
(Age 101)
Passed away peacefully on Wednesday,August
14, 2019. Beloved mother of Morris D.
Freeman, Jr. Also survived by eight grandchil-
dren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-
great-grandchildren; one great-great-great-
granddaughter; son-in-law, Howard Goines;
and a host of relatives and friends. She was
preceded in death by her husband, Floyd
E. Boyd; daughters, Joyce Freeman Goines,
and Beverly Janet Freeman-Owen; son, Freder-
ick B. Freeman, Sr. and daughters-in-law, Mary
H. Freeman and Laverne Freeman. Friends may
visit with the family on Tuesday, August 27
from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at
11 a.m. at Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Catholic
Church, 1357 East Capitol Street, SE. Interment
Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.BOYD
DEATH NOTICE
CATHERINE B. HOPKINS
On Thursday, August 22, 2019 of
SilverSpring,MD.Belovedwifeof
the Late Dr. Stephen C. Hopkins, Jr.;
loving mother of Annette Abrams,
Sarah Hopkins, Stephen C. Hopkins III, Kenneth
B. Hopkins II, Cassie Megarity; sister of Agnes
Smyth, and the late Thomas Stegall. Also
survived by 14 grandchildren and four great-
grandchildren. A funeral mass will be held
at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 15663
Norbeck Blvd., Silver Spring, MD 20906 on
Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 11 a.m. Interment
at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may
be made to Montgomery Hospice. Please sign
the guest book at:
http://www.DeVolFuneralHome.comHOPKINS
GREGORY SCOTT LaFEVER
Gregory Scott LaFever, 57, of Baileys Cross-
roads passed away on Friday, August 23, 2019
at his home. Service private.
Arrangements are being made by Maddox
Funeral Home.LaFEVER
HARLEY LAWRENCE MORGAN
Harley was born November 21, 1946 (73),
died surrounded by his family on August 7,
2019 at Capital Care Hospice. The Memorial
Service will be held at Tenth Street Baptist
Church, 1000 R Street NW, Washington, DC on
Wednesday,August28, 2019 at 11 a.m.MORGAN
DELORIS E.THOMPSON
On Thursday August 15, 2019
Our Lord and Savior sent his
Angels of Mercy who whis-
pered softly, ” You Can Come
Home Now “ Your Journey
Has Been Completed. She is
survived by three daughters,
three sons, 27 grandchildren, 25 great-
grandchildren, four sisters-in-law, two
brothers-in-law, and a host of other family
and friends. Proceeded in death one daugh-
ter. Funeral service to be held on Tuesday,
August 27, 2019 at R.N. Horton Funeral
Home, 600 Kennedy St. NW, Washington,
DC 20011. Viewing from 10 a.m. until time
of service at 11 a.m.THOMPSON
DEATH NOTICE
ALFRED FRANKLIN GLASCOCK
“Frankie”
Formerly of City of Fairfax, Virginia, died in
his Woodford, Virginia home July 7, 2019. A
graveside service will be held at City of Fairfax
Cemetery, 10567 Main Street, on September
12, 2019 at 11 a.m., followed by a memorial
reception at American Legion Post 177, 3939
Oak St., Fairfax, VA 22030. In lieu of flowers,
donate to Caroline County Animal Shelter
14080 Devils Three Jump Rd., Milford, Virginia
22514.
http://www.storkefuneralhome.comGLASCOCK
JAMES FRANCIS PRICE
James Francis Price passed away peacefully on
the morning of August 22, 2019 surrounded by
his family. Jim was a loving husband, father,
grandfather and great grandfather. Jim had a
distinguished career with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, specializing in Counterterrorism
until his retirement in 1984. Jim is survived by
his beloved wife, Joan and six children, Mary
Joan Shea (Jim), James F. Price, Jr. (Rachel), Judy
Kettl, (Dave), Stephen Price (Robin), Michael
Price and Jane (Jenny) Price-Smith (Greg), as
well as his 16 grandchildren and three great-
grandchildren. Family and friends are invited
to Jim’s Celebration of Life at KALAS FUNERAL
HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD, on
Thursday, August 29, 2019, from 2 to 4 p.m.
and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial
will be offered at St. Mary's Catholic Church
of Piscataway Our Lady's Chapel, 13401 Pis-
cataway Rd, Clinton, MD 20735. In lieu of
flowers, please consider a donation to either
Catholic Charities USA, at http://www.catholiccha-
ritiesusa.org or Wounded Warrior Project at
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Interment
St. Mary’s Piscataway Church Cemetery.
Online guestbook available at
http://www.KalasFuneralHomes.comPRICE
MARY ANTONIA SIDLEY "Toni"
A native of Southern California, Toni lived and
worked in the Washington, DC area for more
than 50 years and died at Virginia Hospital
Center on November 21, 2018 of cancer, sur-
rounded by her loving family.
Toni worked on the White House staff under
Presidents Nixon and Ford, and was a partner
and Vice President at Timmons and Company
for more than 30 years until her retirement.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley Ebner,
her son, Steve Sidley, daughter-in-law, Annie
Sidley, as well as her three grandchildren, Sean
Sidley, Colin Sidley, and Ian Sidley.
Her interment will take place on Friday, August
30 at Arlington National Cemetery at 1 p.m.
followed by a reception at Army Navy Country
Club in Arlington, VA from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a
donation in her memory to Virginia Hospital
Center Foundation.SIDLEY
DEATH NOTICE
CHARLOTTE WOLPOFF
On Friday, August 23, 2019,
Charlotte Rein Wolpoff of Chevy
Chase, MD. Predeceased by her
loving parents, Rose and Arthur
Rein; beloved wife of the late
Stanley "Cap'n Stan" Wolpoff;
devoted mother of Adrienne Wolpoff (Louis
Pettey) and Sharon Wolpoff; loving sister
of Stanley Rein (Kathy); cherished grand-
mother of Stephen Pettey (Jennifer) and
the late Donald Pettey (survived by Robert);
adored aunt of Gary Gitomer (Nina), Dr.
Steve Gitomer (Debbie), Dr. Ralph Gitomer,
Stuart Wolpoff (Lee), Suzanne Oliwa (Mike),
Mark Rein (Anya) and Lesley Rein (Fred
Karanovich). Also survived by her cher-
ished caretakers, Gaby Contreras-Zem-
brana and Lucy Pino. A life so beautiful-
ly lived deserves to be beautifully remem-
bered, so all are welcome to join us for
Graveside services to be held Monday,
August 26, 2019, 11 a.m. at Judean Memo-
rial Gardens, 16225 Batchellors Forest Rd,
Olney, MD 20832. Following interment, the
family will be receiving at Somerset House
in Chevy Chase, MD. Kaddish to be said at
sunset.
Memorial contributions may be made to the
United States Holocaust Memorial Muse-
um, http://www.donate.ushmm.org or to the
charity of your choice. Services entrusted
to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg
Funeral Care.
http://www.sagelbloomfield.comWOLPOFF
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