Dr. John Samuel Rieske Ph.D.

1923 - 2012

Dr. John Samuel Rieske, Ph.D., 88, of Ostrander passed away early Monday evening (Sept. 24, 2012) at the Kobacker House, Columbus.
He was born Sept. 25, 1923, in Provo, Utah, to Samuel and Zina (Muhlestein) Rieske. He served his country during World War II as a member of the 102nd Division of the U.S. Army. He later received his Ph.D. in Bio Chemistry from the University of Utah. On Aug. 30, 1949, in the Salt Lake City Temple, he married Elaine Eyring, who preceded him in death in 2006.
From 1960 to 1966 he did-post doctoral work at the Enzyme Institute, associated with the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He also worked for the Department of Defense. He moved to Delaware County in 1966 and began teaching at the Ohio State University as a professor of Physiological Chemistry until 1988. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he served as a high Priest and also served a mission together with his wife. He was also a former stake clerk for the Columbus Ohio Stake. A very strong patriot, he enjoyed collecting fine art and books and spending time with his family and taking in all of their activities. He loved history and sleeping in front of the television and was an avid jogger and walker. One of his most marvelous accomplishments beyond fighting in World War II, finding a wonderful wife and fathering six wonderful children, is that he is well-known among biochemists worldwide for the discovery and characterization of what is now widely referred to as the "Rieske Protein," an iron-sulfur protein that is essential for the existence of most if not all living things. He also recently published a historical book that he transcribed from a journal from a Navy midshipman who was aboard the HMS Phoebe in June of 1813. The book will be introduced in America and England in 2013.
Left to cherish his memory are his children, Marilyn (Karl) Nehring of Ostrander, John (Gisa) Rieske of Ostrander, Carl (Robin Edwards) Rieske of Ashley, Steve (Karen) Rieske of Richwood and Carol Rieske of Delaware; grandchildren, Derek, Isaac, Aleks, Ralph, Jana, Kiri, Laurel, Erik, Maria, Neil, Ian, Jonathan, Melissa, Jason, Alicia, Shaina, Anika, Kelton, Tarah and Celina; great-grandchildren, Nic, Liam, Elena, Antonia, Petra, Smith, Crosby, Ysa, Conner and Tyler; sisters, Dorothy Hancock of Salt Lake City and Beverly Watts of St. George, Utah; daughter-in-law, Sandy Rieske of Waverly; and nieces and nephews.
Along with his wife, he was also preceded in death by his son David.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the Snyder-Rodman Funeral Center, 1510 W. William St. at Valleyside Drive, Delaware. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 15 Rock Creek Drive, Delaware, with Bishop Kevin Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Oller Cemetery.
Contributions in John's memory may be made to the Kobacker House, 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, OH 43214.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting snyderfuneralhomes.com.