Ray Rieman

RIEMAN
Lt. Colonel Ray August Rieman USAF (Retired), beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many passed away peacefully with family by his side on the morning of January 16, 2009 in San Antonio Texas at the age of 89. Ray was born on the family farm in Sheppard Montana on February 12, 1919 and was the 2nd oldest child of August W. Rieman and Minnie Voltz Rieman. After graduating high school he enrolled at the University of California at Berkley in 1938. During his Christmas break in 1941 he enlisted in the Army following Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the Army Air Corp. He served in WW II as a bombardier and navigator with the 397th Bomber Group of the 9th Air Force. One of his many adventures during the war occurred when his B-26 Marauder the "Grunt and Groan" which was supporting the advance of the 82nd Airborne's assault on the port city of Cherbourg was hit by flak in the left engine and forced to make an emergency landing on a airstrip under construction by allied forces and was the first Allied plane to actually land in France following the invasion of Normandy. His service won him the Distinguished Flying Cross for courage and valor. During the war in 1942 at a USO social function in New Orleans he would meet the love of his life Dorothy Marie Pomes also of New Orleans. Following VE day they would be married on July 30, 1945. After his discharge from active duty Ray and his new bride would buy a ranch and settle down in Ballantine Montana. Five years later his country would call on him again because of war and without hesitation he reported for duty. He continued his career in the USAF following the conflict in Korea and would fly combat missions in 3 different wars. In 1964 during an overseas tour in Korea, Ray developed a love for children's charity and received special recognition from the Korean Government for his work with an orphanage located in Chon Puk Province in the Republic of Korea. This love would continue throughout his life. After his retirement from the Air Force in 1969 he and his family would move to San Antonio where Ray embarked on his new career in insurance. Ray retired from USAA in 1989 after 20 years of dedicated and professional service. Ray and Dot were involved together in many organizations during his lifetime including VFW Post 7407-Commander, BPOE (Elks) #216-Trustee, the Royal Order of Moose #744, Boy Scout Troop 307-Scoutmaster, the American Legion, B-26 Marauder Historical Society, AACS Alumni Association and Los Amigos. He also spent many hours working with Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Ray is survived by his wife of 63 years Dorothy, brother Willard of Ballantine MT. and sister Shirley Thomas of Worden MT. Son's Richard Eugene and wife Dianna of Amarillo, Randall John and wife Susan of Middletown MD., Robert William of Houston and daughter Kathryn Antoinette of Austin. Grandchildren Jennifer Kristin and husband Patrick Schenk of San Antonio, Richard Eugene Jr. of San Antonio (presently serving in Iraq), Scott Henry and wife Alanna of Colorado Springs CO., Stephen Ray of Middletown MD. and Robert Mason of SugarLand TX. Great-grandchildren Amanda Elizabeth and Christina Michelle of San Antonio and Joseph Eric of Colorado Springs CO. Visitation will be held on Wednesday January 21st beginning at 5:00 P.M. at Porter Loring on McCullough.
ROSARY
WEDNESDAY
JANUARY 21, 2009
7:00 P.M.
PORTER LORING
CHAPEL
MASS
THURSDAY
JANUARY 22, 2009
9:30 A.M.
OUR LADY OF GRACE CATHOLIC CHURCH
223 E. SUMMIT
Interment in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ray's name to a children's charity of your choice.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.porterloring.com.
Arrangements with: