Donald Robert Riley

FUNERAL HOME

R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home - Hampton

245 South Armistead Avenue

Hampton, Virginia

Donald Riley Obituary

Name: Visitation for Donald Robert Riley
Start: 2022-07-29T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-07-30T00:00:00.000Z
Location: R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home - Hampton

Mr. Donald Riley, 95, passed away on July 23, 2022 after a brief hospital stay. He was born in Penn, PA, served in the Navy in World War II, then graduated with a Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from Penn State in 1949. Don was a career NASA engineer contributing research and authoring more than forty research studies and publications in both aviation and space exploration. One of the highlights of his career was working with the astronauts on docking simulations for the Gemini Space Program. After his retirement in 1995, he became a Distinguished Research Associate with NASA and continued his research until he was 90. Mr. Riley loved his work and could often be found sharing his enthusiasm for the space program with unsuspecting acquaintances asking them if they knew how Mercury Boulevard got its name or how many astronauts walked on the moon. He was a member of St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church for over 70 years.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Francis and Theresia Riley of Uniontown PA, his beloved wife Agnes of 60 years, his sisters (and brothers-in-law) Dorothy (Harry) Kinter, June (Ed) Emmett and Eileen (Jim) Rush.

He is survived by his children, Pat (Elaine) Riley of Poquoson VA, Terri (Mike deceased) Mares, Mike (Ann) Riley of Hampton VA, Kathy (Mike) Dickens of Marietta GA, Frank(Janet) Riley of Ft Worth TX and Margaret (Keith) Degnan of Mechanicsville VA. His grandchildren Sean (Laura) Riley, Mike (Kelly) Riley, Chris (Laurie) Riley, Stephen (Natalie) Riley, Bobby (Tina) Mares, Carol Mares, Tom (Natalie) Mares, Sara (Brian) Yohn, Wes (Sheryl) Riley, Greg Riley, Susan (Lee) Ridgway and 17 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 29th at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in downtown Hampton. Preceding the funeral liturgy on Saturday, the Holy Rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. at St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church. Immediately following at 11 a.m., a Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Rev Dan Molochko. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St Mary's Star of the Sea School (14 N. Willard Ave, Hampton VA 23663) where his wife Agnes, his six children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren attended.

Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave., in Hampton, 757-723-3191. www.rhaydensmith.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press on Jul. 26, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Donald Riley

Sponsored by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home - Hampton.

8 Entries

Pamela Stacy

July 29, 2022

Mr. Riley was more than just a friend to me. He was an Angel to me who shared a birthday with my Grandfather that I never knew. I am truly blessed to have known him and call him my surrogate, Dad. I was just a co-op student at NASA when I met him in the early 90s. He was there for all my important life milestones...He was my landlord in Buckroe for years, helped me find a reliable car when I needed one, he escorted me down the aisle at my wedding, Oh boy was he upset that forgot to kiss me beforehand :-), and he was there when my children were born. He shared the best stories of his crazy, big family and was so proud of each and everyone of you. I can see him now wearing that blue sweater, with his light blue button down shirt, tie, and slacks making the angels laugh watching down on all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless!

Jennifer Butler

July 29, 2022

Sorry for your loss. May the memories of his beautiful life and times you shared together be of comfort during this period of grief.

Cindy Blanks-Shearin

July 27, 2022

So very sad to hear this news it immediately brought back such fond memories of growing up on Lancaster Terrace the many neighborhood kick ball games and Halloween shenanigans with all the kids—my memories of Mr. Riley is one of man with a quiet nature, a sweet man who always had a big smile for all of us kids in the neighborhood! After losing our own Dad in 2020, I know first hand the pain you all are experiencing at this time please know you are in my prayers. Sending lots of love from the Hudgins clan With Sympathy Cindy (Dinkee) Hudgins Blanks-Shearin

Terry Jolly

July 26, 2022

He was one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met. I am honored to have known him.

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Don Riley in 1985 with free-flight model of proposed vertical takeoff and landing fighter (General Dynamics E-7 design). He served as project engineer on the study in the Full Scale wind tunnel.

Joseph Chambers

July 26, 2022

We were so blessed to know and work with Don at the Full-Scale Tunnel before his retirement. He was one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable engineers to ever work at Langley. A true inspiration and gentleman!