Jeffrey Scott Riesmeyer M.D.

Jeffrey Scott Riesmeyer, M.D.

Fishers - Jeffrey Scott Riesmeyer, proud father and husband, doctor, triathlete, and expert "Dad Joke" teller, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at home in Fishers, IN, on April 23rd after a two-year illness with pancreatic cancer. He was 63.

Jeff is survived by his loving family: wife Amy Riesmeyer, sons Andrew and Benjamin (Brendan) Riesmeyer, stepdaughter Anna Roesler, stepson Joey Roesler, sisters Pam Riesmeyer and Jill (Gary) Vandermarks, father Herman Riesmeyer, and a brood of adoring dogs and cats. He was predeceased by his mother Nancy Moore Riesmeyer.

Jeff was born in St Louis, MO, and grew up in Crown Point, IN. After graduating from Crown Point High School, he took a career assessment that told him he should be a farmer, a dentist, or a doctor. As Jeff used to tell it with his trademark sense of humor, "I could have been a farmer, but there was no land left." So, he chose to be a doctor.

With an M.D. in sight, Jeff studied at University of Arizona, where he majored in Cellular and Developmental Biology and graduated with highest distinction. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, he attended Baylor College of Medicine, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed an internal medicine residency at University of Michigan, followed by a cardiology fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX. Upon finishing his fellowship, Jeff moved to Indianapolis, IN, where he practiced interventional cardiology at Methodist Hospital for 11 years before going into cardiovascular drug development at Eli Lilly & Company.

During his 20+ years at Lilly, Jeff not only developed extensive experience and understanding of clinical trial design and execution, regulatory submission, and data dissemination, but also meaningfully shaped Lilly's strategic and research work through his active engagement with FDA regulators and top thought leaders in medical research. The culmination of his work came when he earned the title of Distinguished Medical Fellow in 2019. As a lifelong learner, Jeff also obtained his MBA and Masters in Finance while working at Lilly.

After Jeff's diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, emails and cards poured in from colleagues who described him as a friend, a thoughtful mentor, and team builder with the highest integrity. He continued working for two years, which brought him great satisfaction.

Beyond his work, Jeff's greatest joys were spending time with family, including his Labradors Max and Mel, and, of course, his bicycles. Whether competing on a triathlon bike or exploring on a snow bike with 5" tires, Jeff loved to ride. He completed 11 Full Ironman Triathlons in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. with his wife and teammate, Amy, as well as many marathons and sprint triathlons. His love of bikes quickly turned him into the family bike mechanic, which he reveled in. He even built new bikes for everyone in the family with specially chosen frames, components, and wheels.

Jeff also loved to explore this "wonderful world" (as Louis Armstrong put it in one of Jeff's favorite songs): from childhood bike rides to neighboring towns and canoe trips on the Kankakee River with his friend "Mousie," to hitchhiking across the United States before starting his undergraduate, and later traveling to the far corners of the globe—many times with his wife and children by his side.

Jeff will be remembered for his devotion to his children and his wife. Family and friends will cherish the memory of his intelligence, kindness, gentle guidance, wit, and humility, as well as his love for smooth jazz, blues, and a great cup of espresso.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating Jeff's life at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Fishers, IN, on Friday, July 16th at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to New Hope Presbyterian Church, the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Pancan.org, or your favorite charity.