Riegel, David D.
1940 - 2020
On December 26, 2020, David D. Riegel passed away suddenly at age 80. The meaning of a life well lived can be measured by the impact one has on others. Dave's impact was large and wide, and he loved sharing stories about his time in the classroom with his art students and his memories of the many
young golfers he coached. It was not unusual for former students or golfers to reach out to share stories of how he influenced their careers and futures. Dave's friends were his extended family, and he loved to be surrounded by them at Coaches to watch a game or on golf courses showing them up with his incredible short game. Most notably, Dave was an amazing and influential husband to Adel for 59 years, father to Brian, father-in-law to Lisa, and grandfather to Paige and Luke. He was joyful and proud of the accomplishments of his son and reveled in watching his grandchildren mature into amazing young adults. Dave grew up on a dairy farm with his parents, Raymond and Minnie, and brother, Gregg, in Amanda OH, earned a degree in art education at The Ohio State University and enjoyed a career teaching art at Gahanna and Worthington. In his retirement, he continued to live life to its fullest and recently remarked he could not think of a single thing he still needed to do. He is an example of how to live life to its fullest, find joy in a sunny day, and enjoy moments with the people he loved. We will hold a golf outing and celebration of life in May for the man called husband, father, grandpa, brother and the "Golden Pig," so his friends and family can remember the many ways he made our lives better by knowing him.

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Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Jan. 9 to Jan. 10, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for David Riegel

Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.

7 Entries

Amber Napier Finck 1979-1980 FHA/HERO State officer &1980-81 Ohio 1980-1981

June 24, 2025

Adel, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. David was an important figure in the Ohio Educational system... and almost as important as you have been to the Ohio Educational system, FHA/HERO and to all of you State and National officers. You remain in my prayers. Much love, Amber Napier Finck, State Pres Ohio FHA/HERO 1980-1981

Jennifer Schwartz

June 24, 2021

I just learned of Mr. Riegel’s passing from the Worthington Alumni website. I so very sorry for your loss. Mr. Riegel was one of the good guys. I have fond memories of his art class and of bumping into him on golf courses after graduating. He knew my parents from art school - they both graduated from OSU, and my father was also an art professor there. Mr. Riegel was always so encouraging in class and helped me to appreciate my own talent despite my feeling rather overshadowed by my father. It is was a blessing to know him.

Lisa Tipshus

January 24, 2021

I moved away from Ohio in 1986 to New York City. Mr. Riegel was one of the most impactful and confidence boosting teachers I ever had in my life. His actions and encouragement ultimately were more impactful to the course of my life than my own parents. I took art and independent art from him (oil painting) at Worthington High School. He was extremely encouraging and I discovered a talent I had no idea I had. He encouraged me to go to art school and believed I could even receive a scholarship to a top one. I had long been drawn to multiple art forms but grew up in a family with no artists. My father worried I could not support myself if I attended an art school. I eventually graduated from a university and moved to New York City five days later. I struggled as an actress and since I could not afford a studio for my preferred large paintings, I taught myself makeup artistry. I eventually “made it to the top” as they say. I had an extraordinary career and I met extraordinary people in my work. Mr. Riegel taught me, more than anyone else in my life, to trust in my creative instincts and vision. He taught me to believe in myself, no matter how eccentric some of my ideas are. He made me believe I was a good human being. He taught me to recognize the parts of myself I did not understand due to my feelings of being an outsider around others. I appeared to be just an average Worthington girl, so his perception was other worldly. I am 56 years old and have had a largely happy and amazing life. This would most certainly not have happened if I had not met Mr. Riegel and he had not cared so much about his students. Without him, I would have followed a path expected of me to fulfill my family’s ideals. My family did not understand me at the time but they eventually did and are very proud of my achievements. I have always had a lot of gratitude for things, so I feel deeply regretful that I did not try to find Mr. Riegel to thank him personally for the many ways he impacted my life. He will always have a special place in my heart. He had the best attitude about life of just about anyone I have ever known. I don’t think there is any higher honor than being a human being like Mr. Riegel. What a legacy! He appears to have lifted up and guided hundreds of people. God Bless You, Mr. Riegel! We laughed! You believed in me when I had little confidence! Now you are with the angels!

Raymond Snyder

January 11, 2021

Such a great guy! Enjoyed his stories at Choaches. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Laura Bova

January 10, 2021

Dear Brian, Lisa and your family, My thoughts are with you as you grieve your tremendous loss. Dave was my watercolor & art history teacher at WHS.
Now I'm an art teacher and watercolor artist. I will always remember his cheerful, laid back and encouraging personality in the classroom. He was a wonderful person.
Sincerely yours, Laura (Garberson) Bova

Laura Bova

January 10, 2021

Dear Brian, Lisa and your family, My thoughts are with you as you grieve your tremendous loss. Dave was my watercolor teacher at WHS and now I'm an art teacher and watercolor artist, too. I will always remember his cheerful, laid back and encouraging personality in the classroom. He was a wonderful person.
Sincerely yours, Laura (Garberson) Bova

Lisa McClatchy

January 10, 2021

I’m not sure how old I was when I first met Dave (probably a baby!) but my earliest memories were I’d Dave letting me ride on the tractor at his parents’ farm. My father and Dave were colle friends and fraternity brothers and Dave, Adel and Brian lived around the corner from us at Brookside when I was growing up. I babysat Brian when I was 13 and have so many fond memories! But Dave was also my art teacher at Worthington High School. I think I took all the art classes he taught - acrylic painting, watercolors, etc. my senior year I also took art history and that class made such an impression on me that I decided to major in art history at The College of Wooster. He was funny, kind, an amazing artist himself and a wonderful teacher. You will be missed!

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