Brian Keith Riesland

1960 - 2014

Brian Keith Riesland was born on Sept. 20, 1960 to Joyce and Ray Riesland in Hemet, Calif. He died with his family by his side on Aug. 17, 2014 in Billings, Mont. from an accident of falling off his truck.

As a child, Brian loved to go trucking with his dad whenever he could, which was a lot, until he started school. His other favorite thing to do when he was little was to go with his Grandpa Hoffman to get ice cream. In 1970, the family moved to Salmon, Idaho. When he was 14 he received his driver's license, which he was very happy to get. In 1975, the family moved to Belgrade, Mont. During the summers, he worked at the airport with Paul Newby. With his earnings he bought himself a 1965 blue Ford Mustang that he thought was the best. He graduated from Belgrade High School in 1978.

Brian was a member of Bozeman's Evangelical Free Church where he was head groundskeeper. He made sure the outside always looked its best. He belonged to the Thursday morning men's bible study group, which he would attend as often as he could. He made many good friends that he enjoyed being with.

Brian loved being in a truck, and he was most of his adult life except for the three years he spent in Alaska working on a barge that brought fuel and supplies to remote towns. He was a diesel mechanic and went to school during the winters to learn more about diesel engines. When he was 21 he wanted to drive truck, so Riesland Trucking bought another truck and he went to work for Idaho Asphalt in Idaho Falls. His dad said, "If you want to drive truck, then you have to learn how to back it up!" He spent many hours backing the truck up from the road into the family's driveway. He became very good at it. Then he went to work for McGinley Trucking/Warren Transport hauling cement. By this time he had had a son, Preston, who went with him just as he had gone with his dad. The last 11 years, he was the manager of KBS Trucking. Earlier this year, he decided to go into business for himself hauling gravel, which he was doing at the time of his accident.

Brian had two sons, both of which he was very proud. Preston has his dad's love for trucking and Cameron is an excellent diesel mechanic. His world centered around his two boys. He was a very personable guy and had lots of friends that he shared many great times with. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spent many hours on his boat with his boys.

Brian is survived by: his sons, Preston Alexander and Cameron Earl; parents, Joyce and Ray; brothers, Dave (Mary) and Barry (Kay); nieces, Amanda Riesland and Ashley Jones (he thought it was neat to have two girls in the family). He was preceded in death by all of his grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Brian's name to Manhattan Christian School, 8000 Churchill Rd., Manhattan, MT 59741 or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 at E-Free Church in Bozeman.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.