William Vincent "Vit" Vitarelli (October 21, 1910 – January 19, 2010), also referred to as Rubak in Palau, was an American educator and architect.

He was stationed in various islands in Micronesia, including Palau and Ebeye, and participated in various educational and community development projects.

[1][2] He gained an early interest in woodworking; attending four years of college to earn certification to teach high school shop.

[3] He attended Columbia University Teachers College and studied community development and architecture, earning a doctoral degree in 1953.

[6] Vitarelli won the case after a two-year battle and returned to Micronesia in his previous position at the TTPI.

[4]: 59  He arrived on Palau in November 1949 and helped Roman Tmetuchl organize a workers' strike to raise the locals' wages.

He established Palau's first saw mill and its first food markets; initiated a boat building project and built a small furniture factory; and also started the island's first community fair and dance festival.

[1] Johnson Toribiong, the president of Palau at that time, called for a five-day period of mourning and remembrance for "Rubak" Vitarelli.

[17] While in Micronesia, William and his wife Henrietta Taylor raised and adopted a young girl named Heather.

At the age of 29, Heather died from a stray bullet on September 8, 2000, while visiting the casino Harrah's Las Vegas.