George Arthur Reihner

1955 - 2021

Few individuals are truly "larger than life," yet George Arthur Reihner was certainly one of them. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, attorney, football star, avid golfer and fisherman. Grand in stature, personality and heart, George was tragically taken from us Thursday, March 11, 2021, during a sudden hospitalization, while surrounded by his family. He was 65.

George was born April 27, 1955, to the late Arthur Thomas and E. Jane Reihner, in Washington. A 1973 graduate of Washington High School, George was a standout multi-sport athlete. On the football field, George earned all-state honors and was named the WPIAL's Most Valuable Lineman in 1972. A respected leader on and off the field, George served as team captain for the Prexies' WPIAL Class AA semifinal run and Pennsylvania's Big 33 team that same year.

On the wrestling mat, George earned United States Free Style Wrestling Federation All-American honors in 1972, finishing second in the Federation's National Championship. Previously, he was a sectional and WPIAL wrestling champion for the Prexies.

When Joe Paterno stopped by his childhood home for dinner, George ultimately committed to Penn State as a scholar-athlete. Part of Joe Paterno's "Grand Experiment," George was both a successful scholar and a fierce athlete. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University in 1977. A three-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions, George (No. 68) was a dominating offensive guard and defensive tackle. He was named to the All-East first team in 1975 and 1976, received second team All-America honors in 1976, and was selected to the Senior Bowl that same year. As a Nittany Lion, George played in the Orange, Cotton, Sugar and Gator bowls, serving as team captain his senior season.

The 38th pick of the 1977 National Football League draft, George continued his football passion at right Guard (No. 64) for the then Houston Oilers from 1977 until 1982. His hulking play out of the gate earned him accolades as the American Football Conference Offensive Rookie of the Year and a nomination to the NFL's All-Rookie Team. In 1979, George won the NFL's Outstanding Offensive Line Award, anchoring the first offensive line in history to produce the league's leading rusher (Earl Campbell), while yielding the fewest quarterback sacks (12) in the same season.

Following in his brother John's footsteps, George was inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

While playing full-time in the NFL, George started law school at night at Bates Law School in Houston, Texas. When he retired from the Oilers, George returned to Pennsylvania to complete his legal education at the Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle. Since earning his Juris Doctorate degree in 1984, George has been as successful and fierce a litigator in the courtroom as he was on the gridiron. An AV Preeminent-rated and peer-nominated "Super Lawyer" since 2004, George commanded the respect of colleagues and verdicts from juries in both Texas and Pennsylvania. George was a founding partner of the Scranton-based Wright, Reihner & Mulcahy law firm.

George is survived by his wife of 42 years, Judith A. Reihner (Penn State 1984); his eldest son, Captain George A. Reihner (USMA 2002, site leader - Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, Cincinnati, Ohio); his daughter, First Lieutenant Janet L. Schoepfer (USMA 2004, senior director, Operational Excellence at Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, N.Y.); son, Kevin A. Reihner (Stanford 2014, offensive line coach, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va.); son, Kyle T. Reihner (sophomore, University of Mount Union, Alliance, Ohio); his brother, Dr. John M. Reihner, DDS, Washington; sister, Judith Reihner Campsey, Claysville; and many nieces and nephews. "Pops" also leaves behind four grandchildren, Cameron and Graham Schoepfer; and twins, Oliver and McKinley Reihner.

George will be remembered by his children as a kind and gentle mentor, a friend and confidant, as well as their athletic coach and top fan in football, basketball, lacrosse, ice hockey and golf. His tireless love and devotion to family were patently evident in his daily life.

A public ceremony will take place Thursday, April 8, in Elm Park United Methodist Church, Scranton. Greeting the family will begin at 2 p.m. with a memorial ceremony to follow at 3 p.m.

Internment will take place in Washington at a later date.