Dr. Ernest Herbert Rieger

Rieger, Dr. Ernest Herbert, MD, FACS, age 84, of Wichita, Kansas, retired general surgeon and owner of Rieger Medical Supply, was released from his pain to embrace the eternal love of God on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013. Visitation with the family 6-8:00 PM Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East, 6555 East Central, and church service at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 2, at Chapel Hill Fellowship, 1550 N. Chapel Hill St, Wichita, KS 67206. Survivors include his beloved wife and best friend of 60 years, Karin Rieger, son, Dr. Erik Rieger (Della) and daughter, Elizabeth (Liz) McGinness (Doug). Ernest (Ernie) was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Katy McGinness, Doug McGinness III, Jacob Rieger, Jonathan Rieger, and Joshua Rieger. Ernie is also survived by his two loving siblings, sister Betty Anderson, and brother Bob Rieger, as well as nieces Juli Anderson-Bjerke, Holly Anderson, Allison Waggoner, and nephew Bob Rieger Jr. Ernie was greeted in Heaven by his niece Karin Anderson, who was waiting for him, along with his parents, and other passed relatives and friends. Ernie's (Dad's) life began in Wichita, Kansas, when he was born on June 6, 1929. He grew up in Riverside, graduated from North High School, and then went on to Wichita State University. He then obtained his medical degree from Kansas University. Dad was a brilliant man and a gifted surgeon whose skills touched the lives of many people living in Wichita and beyond. He served as the Surgeon General for the McConnell Air Force Base in the late 1960's and he was a local pioneer in bariatric surgery. Dad loved talking with his patients and it was understood that an appointment at Dr. Rieger's office meant waiting a long time in the waiting room because dad didn't follow the clock when a patient's concerns were involved. The payoff for the frustrating and maddeningly long wait was that you, as his next patient, were then also given the same devoted attention for your concerns. Dad's day at the office didn't end until late in the evening because of his imprecise time management skill when it came to patients. His children sometimes joked that they would see more of Dad if they came to his office as patients! Dad practiced medicine in a different era than today; if you could not pay your bill directly, he would accept any kind of alternative compensation. If you had a piece of artwork you had made, or had some other way to of' pay him back, that was just fine by him. Dad contributed greatly to the world through his surgical skills and vast medical knowledge. Dad met the love of his life while he was an exchange student as a part of his medical training in Sweden. He fell head over heels for a Nordic beauty named Karin Larsson. Mom and Dad married in Sweden after a whirlwind courtship, and then, being as poor as mice' they began the long journey home to America with almost nothing in their pockets. After selling his favorite fountain pen to a stranger so they could raise enough money to sail to New York, the newlyweds then hitchhiked home the long trip home to Wichita. Their love and devotion to each other was the intense bond that saw them through 60 years of marriage and all of life's vicissitudes that saw, among other dramas, a tornado that destroyed their home in 1965. Dad's health was failing for 14 years following a stroke, and mom was at his side every day and night caring for him with the devotion of a modern day Florence Nightingale. They were inseparable throughout life and their love affair was worthy of any Hollywood movie or great novel. Dad was also an inimitable character who could either dazzle you or infuriate you, depending on the day, and sometimes both in the same conversation. There was absolutely no point in trying to argue with Ernie as his stunning intellect and artful tongue would always prevail, and he was a lifelong adherent to getting the last word. He was also at no loss to share his opinions with you, whether requested or not. He loved to dive into heady, intellectual discussions of any subject, mundane or profound, and he was most invigorated when he had a captive audience listening to his marvelous ability with words. Dad was a true expert on almost any topic and the vast depth of his knowledge was stunning. There was almost no issue that he did not have at least a working understanding of, and his passion for learning was with him to his last days. He obtained, fun', a contractor's license in the 1980's because he wanted to understand the construction of buildings. He became a Hebrew scholar, although a lifelong Christian, because he was fascinated with the writings of the Torah and the Hebrew language. He studied biblical Hebrew so he could translate extremely complex writings in Hebrew and Greek, and his expertise was recognized by local rabbis. Translating obscure text was his idea of a grand time, and he was at his most joyful moments when immersed with the study of world cultures and profoundly complicated puzzles. Dad left a lasting legacy and will be so greatly missed by his family, friends, and community. He is now walking freely again and is no doubt, engaged in a spirited and delightful debate with Albert Einstein while Moses and the Heavenly Angels serve as moderators. Tributes may be sent to the family via www.dlwichita.com