ALBERT RIEDERER

After a courageous battle with cancer, Albert Riederer, 67, passed away December 27, 2012. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Visitation Church, 5141 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday, at Visitation Church. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Albert was born Sept. 30, 1945, in Kansas City, Mo., to Henry and Sue Riederer. He was the sixth of 11 children. He grew up in St. James parish. He became an Eagle Scout in 1960 and loved being a scout dad with Troop 84 during his son's scouting years. Both were members of the Tribe of Mic-o-say. Albert graduated from Rockhurst High School in 1964, where he was a proud member of the freshman football team. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from St. Louis University in 1968. He then attended NYU Law School where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar. He practiced law in Kansas City from 1972 until his very recent retirement. He married his "Bzeets," Sandy Midkiff in 1979. He delighted in every aspect of the lives of his children, Rachel Midkiff Riederer and Stephen Albert Riederer and was a loving and encouraging husband and father. He was elected to the Jackson County Legislature in 1978 and served as the Jackson County Prosecutor from 1980 to 1992. He loved that job and maintained life-long friendships with lawyers and staff that worked with him. Albert maintained strong core values for his office and was very proud of the excellent attorneys who started their careers with him and of the work that they did later on. He was an innovator in establishing the Jackson County Drug Court and Drug Tax that funded programs that focused on drug abuse treatment and prevention. He returned to private practice until 1997 when he was appointed to the Missouri Court of Appeals by Governor Mel Carnahan. In 1999 he resigned from the court to accept the appointment by Governor Carnahan as Special Deputy Receiver of General American Mutual Holding Company. He compiled a stellar record of achievements as the receiver, protecting the investments of thousands of Missourians. Throughout his career, Albert was involved in countless charitable and civic efforts. He loved Kansas City and his community. He served on numerous boards including Working Families' Friend, Concerned Care Inc., and Genesis School, and was a proud and grateful member of the KU Medical Center's Head and Neck Cancer Support Group. He was involved in many campaigns for the betterment of Jackson County and Kansas City. He gave honor to the term "politician"; his public service was based on his integrity and his love of people. Albert was a humble man. He made friends wherever he went -- he had a twinkle in his eyes and a genuine interest in others. He was a natural peacemaker, but he was also courageous in seeking justice for others. He showed courage in the social and political causes that he undertook, and also in his own two-year battle with cancer. He leaves his wife of 33 years, Sandy Midkiff, daughter, Rachel and son, Stephen, and siblings, Barbara Dastoor, Lolly Ried, Stephen Riederer of Columbus, Ohio, Paul Riederer (and Susan) of Boulder, Colo., Lucie Riederer, MD (and Randy Williams) of Coupeville, Wash., Denise (and Walter) Murphy, and Christine Riederer, and sisters-in-law, Lanti Riederer and Rochelle Parker, MD (and Jerry Holloway) and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Frank Riederer and John Riederer, and sister, Mary Teresa Riederer. Albert and his family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who provided treatment during his illness, as well as all the friends who offered their loving support to him. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Albert Fund at Bishop Sullivan Center, 6435 East Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64126. Online condolences may be left at www.muehlebachchapel.com M