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Richard A. Riis Jr.

1924 - 2014

Richard A. Riis Jr. obituary, 1924-2014, Redding, CA

BORN

1924

DIED

2014

Richard Riis Jr. Obituary


RICHARD A. RIIS JR.

June 7, 1924 - March 12, 2014

It is with great sorrow that the Riis family announces the passing of
Richard A. Riis Jr.

Richard passed quietly and peacefully at his home on March 12, 2014.

He was born on June 7, 1924 in Stamford, Connecticut to Richard A. Riis Sr. and Genevieve Gaffen-Riis and they lived in the Cos Cob Neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. Richard was a good son, husband, father and a soldier of The Greatest Generation. After the passing of his father at age 3, he and his mother moved to Port Chester, New York to be closer to the Riis's extended family. In 1933 Richard and his Mom moved into a brand new apartment at 3 Calvert Street in the Harrison Township of Westchester, New York where Genevieve remained until her death at age 91. Harrison, New York would be the place that he would spend his formative years.

He attended the Port Chester and Harrison Elementary schools, Harrison Middle School and Harrison Senior High School. In middle school, Richard became interested and joined The Boy Scouts of American and finished that association as an Eagle Scout. While at Harrison High he was the number 1 Varsity and Junior Varsity Quarterback and Student Body President. His extracurricular activities in high school were as an avid photographer and part of a group that mentored other young students. To support he and his mother, he worked as a auto mechanic and a caddy at the Westchester County Club, the home of the PGA Westchester Classic. It did not go unnoticed by both faculty and advisors that Richard displayed great leadership qualities and one man in particular by the name of Bernard Aeurbach encouraged him in that direction.

After high school in February 1943 he was inducted into the United States Army and was assigned as a platoon sergeant at the basic tank destroyer school at Fort Hood, Texas. In May of 1943 Richard was then chosen for Officers Candidate School and sent to both Fort Benning, Georgia and Camp Blanding in Florida for his advanced infantry course. Upon graduation as a new 2nd Lieutenant at the age of 20 years old he was assigned in October 1944 to the 104th Infantry Division (surnamed the Timberwolf Division) who were assigned to the European Theatre of operation. The 104th fought two of the fiercest battles of World War II, the Battle of Hurtgen Forrest (October 1944) and the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944). As a platoon leader, Richard was awarded the Combat Infantry Mens Badge, Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star with "V" Devise and 4 oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart with one oak leaf cluster. After his Federal service he stayed in the active Army reserve, transferring to the California Army National Guard where he remained and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and Battalion Commander of the 1401st combat engineers, ending his 41 year military career.

The 104th was shipped to Camp San Luis Obispo after VE Day to wait for deployment to the Pacific Campaign when World War II ended. But it was at this base where he married his high school sweetheart, Miss Muriel Lucille Aletti in a military ceremony on August 22, 1945. It was also at this time that the Riis's got a chance to tour a bit of California on their honeymoon, which in the not so distant future would be the state that was chosen to move, work and raise a family.

When the war ended and with his new bride, Richard returned to New York to attend The New York State University at Ithaca under the G.I. Bill, like many other returning servicemen. He received his BS and MS in Health and Physical Education. After school, he, like all of his fellow graduates began looking for work through college placement and direct contact with prospective employers. It was this little elementary school district in Redding, CA that responded to his letter of inquiry, and as they say, "the rest is history". So Richard and Muriel pack up their maroon 1949 Plymouth sedan and along with their first son and headed West, to Redding, California.

In 1949 his first assignment with the district was at Pine Street School. Upon the completion of Sequoia Middle School, he was transferred as a teacher, head of the physical education department and eventually the vice principal during the 50s and 60s. After receiving his MA in school administration from the California State University at Chico in the early 50s, Richard moved to the administrative level with the ensuing principal ships at Cypress, Juniper, Bonnieview and Magnolia elementary schools. From 1971 to 1983 he, was the assistant superintendent of education/personnel services for the school district, the position from which he retired from education in 1983 as a member in good standing with the California Teachers Association.

Richard, known fondly by his friends as Dick Riis, beside his military and education careers gave tremendously to the community of Redding. Being a big proponent of health and fitness, served on the Redding Parks & Recreation Commission for 26 years starting in 1958, 8 years as its chairman. It was during his tenure with this commission and as chairman that the "genesis" of the Sacramento River Trail was born. The founders of this river trail project, were Dick, Susan Asbill and Barbara Gard, with great thanks from the city of Redding.

He was a member of the Shasta County Planning Commission from 1984 to 2001, being its chairman for many of those years and in 1994 he received commissioner of the year for all California Counties. Being a lover of all sports Dick was commissioner and working referee of the Northern Section California Interscholastic Federation that were employed by all of the high school districts of the 6 Northern California Counties for a duration of 11 years. One of Mr. Riis's greatest accomplishments was the promotion of the sport of tennis in Redding. Starting almost immediately when he arrived in Redding, he noticed that this sport was under represented both in the school and the community. Because of his personal affection for the game, he set about to change the landscape. As an extracurricular activity when he was physical education department chair he started selecting and soliciting athletes to join the fledging tennis team at Sequoia school in the early 1950s. Dick contacted other schools where he found tennis teams and set up competitions and tournaments.

Sequoia had no tennis courts of their own at that time and used the 4 courts at Redding's South City Park. The city courts were not in the greatest condition, so he lobbied heavily to get the city to modernize and resurface them, which they did because he was relentless. Because he was the battalion commander of the local Army National Guard unit, and it being and engineering unit, they cleared and prepped the land for the existing courts at Sequoia School presently.

In addition to his civil volunteer work, Dick was also a member of the Redding Elk's Lodge for 61 years, being awarded Elk of the years in 1992. He served on the Grand Jury, and the Community Development Board. He was a member of the American Legion for life, Reserve Officers Association for life and the Association of the Military Order of the Purple Heart who were very instrumental in getting the Veteran Cemetery built in Igo, California.

When expressing where he got his inspiration for public service, Dick said his mother Genevieve, Bernard Auerbach the head of the science department at Harrison High School, the military and his students. He gives credit to his mother because he watched her organize a cadre of 25 women to write and send packages to service men of all branches, which had no family or loved ones to correspond with. She did this from the beginning of World War II to the end. After the war and for 41 years she volunteered at the VA Hospital in Montrose, New York saying, "It is because my son was spared, I want to help those that weren't". She received letters of commendation from every President from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to George "HW" Bush and the Harrison Township named a park after her. Dick when referring to his own volunteer service said "You always have to give back".

Richard is survived by his wife of 69 years, Muriel and his sons Robert and Richard.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm the 24th of March 2014, at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA., with a reception following at the Redding Elk's Lodge.

In lieu of flowers the family request that you donate to the Good news Rescue Mission at 2842 South Market, Redding, CA 96001.

Please sign the guestbook at http://obituaries.redding.com

Published by Redding Record Searchlight on Mar. 20, 2014.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
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What a great bio - so inspirational. it is personalities like the Riis family that make our planet a better place. Warm Wishes from your good friends in the Southland.

Blake Hoss

May 15, 2014

I'm sorry for your loss, Muriel. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Eva Dunbar, redding, california

May 14, 2014

What a wonderfully accomplished man! So sorry for your loss, Rob, and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Much love to you.

Kirt, Jen and CC Landrus

April 10, 2014

all my good thoughts go out to muriel - we both share a passion for the new york times.

Rex Thompson

April 5, 2014

I remember Mr. Riis from when I was attending Magnolia in the 60's. I didn't know he was a war hero. What a nice thing to learn about him. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Virginia Rose

April 5, 2014

Best wishes from all your friends in Santa Rosa.

Jim Beal

April 4, 2014

I am in awe of Dick's life and work which embodies enduring principles of equitable education in all public roles he played. His lifetime of leadership skills helped FEMA when he arrived in L.A. during Northridge Earthquake 20 years ago. In his own way, he was a force of nature certainly impacting the well-being of Redding. My admiration goes out to Dick's family for their support and loving kindness.

Connie Gaffin Gibson

March 25, 2014

Our sympathies on your loss of Dick. Our entire family loved him! Darlene, Kathy and David Blancett.

March 24, 2014

Dick was my inspiration for leadership. He fostered my passion for education! Dick hired me in the mid-70s. From that point, I knew that I had a person who would encourage me to be all that I could, in order to help children achieve all that they could. He is the person who told me that if you hear a "no" to look for a different way until I heard a "yes." Little did we know that his influence would be taken to other states, Japan, & China. I'll always remember Dick for his true grit & amazing compassion. Thank you, Dick, for allowing me to learn from the BEST! Sincerely, Kay Quibell Rice

Kay Rice

March 24, 2014

We will always remember Dick for his support and encouragement as we struggled through those early years of teaching. He was a positive influence in so many lives.

Jan and Greg Gifford

March 23, 2014

You will always be remembered for the fairness that you always provided equally, right down to your famous paddle. Will always remember the tennis tournaments and the trips out of town. Rest in Peace Coach. Sequoia, class of 1951

Ronald Benneche

March 22, 2014

Dick accomplished so much, with Muriel by his side. As a retired teacher in the Redding School District, he listened to me, considered what I wanted, then acted as to what would/was in the best interest of both students and me. He was always correct. Because of his commitment to Redding, much has been accomplished over decades. A long, productive life, well lived. In admiration and appreciation. Thank you, Muriel for your part.
Vivian Dawson

Vivian Dawson

March 22, 2014

Dick Riis hired me in the late 70s for a teaching position. It lead to over 34 years teaching for the Redding School District. He was always very supportive and encouraging. Dick was a fine man and an excellent administrator. Few could match his dedication to public service and the youth of Shasta County. He will be missed.

John Nielsen

March 22, 2014

I worked with dick when he was on the County Planning Commission. he was a very stand up guy, very fair and a joy to work with. I'll miss him greatly. RIP Dick.

Pat Cecil

March 22, 2014

Mr. Riis served as an interim superintendent in the district where I worked. He was very good at his craft. Mr. Riis sincerely cared about the families and staff, and the quality of education that was offered. He was a kind and caring man that I remember with respect and affection.

Sandra Taylor

March 21, 2014

Dick Riis was a great school administrator, as a past student
of Cypress, Magnolia and Sequoia
I can personally attest he was
more than willing to use that
paddle he kept around in his office.
While I was at Sequoia I was pretty
impressed when I saw him in his national guard uniform. He looked like a general to me. Being a veteran I am even more impressed finding out about his earlier army history. The people of Redding, CA can thank men and women like this who gave unselfishly of themselves to this community. I appreciate it MR Riis.

Earl Allen Boek

March 21, 2014

Sending love to Robert, Richard and Mrs. Riis.
What a privilege it was to share so many great memories though out the years with both Mr. And Mrs Riis

I remember many conversations with Mr. Riis regarding choosing a college, the importance of goals and taking pride in doing your best. He was such an incredible role model and very influential on not just my life but my brothers as well. I loved his stories, his lessons, and valued his guidance. He was extended family for sure.
What a great man...thank you for all you gave Mr. Riis..they just don't make them like you anymore.
Love you dearly,
Wendi

Wendi Elder

March 20, 2014

Dick touched so many of us in so many ways. First in the Redding schools, later in the Redding Guard unit, and later as an always contributing member of the community. Dick was a man who lived a life that truly made a difference. You have served us all and earned you rest. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Larry and Alivia Long

March 20, 2014

I will forever remember the fun of learning tennis and golf from this wonderful Physical Ed teacher.

Roberta Marr Withrow

March 20, 2014

I will turn home at last once more
Knowing that a true soldier's rest
Once earned is sweet
His peace complete
Who gave until the last his best

National Timberwolf Pups Association

March 20, 2014

I have many fond memories of "Coach"!! I like to think of him as my friend who was an inspiration and role model in my youth. Bobby Friebel, Southaven, MS

March 20, 2014

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Rae Dean Bible

March 20, 2014

Mr. Riis was a good man. A man with great character. I always enjoyed seeing and talking with him on my return visits for school reunions.

Jim Miklich (Sequoia Class of 1954)

March 20, 2014

A great friend and inspiration for many years. Thanks Dick for all your kindness and guidance.

March 20, 2014

.....and Yes, Mr. Riis, you were one of a kind. Thank you for the years, and thank you for the memories. From another who wrote a letter to the Redding School District,

Jill Montgomery

March 20, 2014

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