Herbert Riley

Riley, Herbert J.
Herbert J. Riley, a Korean war veteran and retired Major General in the U.S. Army Reserves, passed away on 11/14 at the C.V. Health & Rehab Center where he had been a resident for the past 5 years. Prior to his illness (Alzheimer's), he resided with his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth (Johnson) Riley at 10 Birchwood Lane in New Milford, CT.
A native of West Warwick, R.I., Herb was born on June 19, 1928 the third of three sons born to the late Joseph & Florence (Hitte) Riley and brother of James and Robert, both WW2 veterans who pre-deceased him. Robert was killed in action during the war.
Herb grew up in the Crompton section of R.I. where he enjoyed scouting and all kinds of sports. An athlete of some note, he was proud to have made the football team as right half back at his high school, LaSalle Academy in Providence. He also played semi-pro football for the Crompton Veterans.
After graduation in 1947 Herb spent the next few years working for a textile company before being drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War in January of 1951. On May 12, upon completion of his basic training, he married his high school sweetheart Betty Johnson who trailed behind him from the first grade (he was in second) at St. James Parochial School for nine years and later reconnecting with each other at LaSalle.
Shortly after their marriage, Private "Recruit" Riley was sent overseas to join the U.S. Occupational Forces in Hokkaido, Japan. Upon his return to the United States, he spent the next six months at OCS (Officers Candidate School) in Fort Benning, GA After a year and a half as an enlisted man, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant assigned to the QM Corp at Ft. Lee, VA until his discharge from active duty in October of 1953 at which time he joined the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and was assigned to the 76th Infantry Division.
Herb then enrolled at RISO (Rhode Island School of Design) in Providence, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Chemistry and Engineering. By this time the family had expanded with the arrival of their sons, Wayne (59) and Bryan (57). Accepting a position as a chemist for American Cyanamid at their branch (Davis & Geck) in Danbury, CT meant leaving R.I. so the family moved to the then small town of New Milford where they are communicants at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church.
While employed at Davis & Geck, Herb held various other assignments including Production Superintendent as well as Senior Safety Engineer. In the meantime, Gen. Riley was a soldier – proud to serve his country. Going up the ranks, he served in a variety of assignments including Operations Officer, Director of Leadership Academy, Provost Marshall, Division Chief of Staff, Assistant Division Commander and Commanding General.
In 1979, after 22 years with the 76th Division out of West Hartford, Herb was promoted to Brigadier General and served the remaining four years of his tenure there as Division Commander. Upon his promotion to Major General he was then selected to command for the next four years the 94th Army Reserve Command headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts to oversee the 10,000 troops throughout New England. In August of 1980 he was inducted into the Infantry Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning, GA. He is a recipient of the following medals: Army Commendation Medal, Occupational Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve ten-year Medal with/Bronze Hourglass, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal and Armed Services Medal-1, the Army's TOP award for Reserves.
In 1980 after 35 years of military service, Gen. Riley retired –simultaneously with his civilian job and started his own safety consulting business "hjr Compliance, Inc."
But all was not work and no play as Herb was an avid golfer and in his "spare time" on a sunny day (or not) one might have seen him on the golf course at Lake Waramaug Country Club where he and Betty were members.
At the turn of the century (Christmas 1999) Herb was honored by his family with the foundation of a scholarship in his name –"Major General Herbert J. Riley Scholarship Fund", a living tribute to his years of service and love of God and country. The scholarship awarded two New Milford High School students each year that had plans to further their education. Each was asked to submit a short essay on what the flag of the U.S. means to them. Over $20,000 was awarded in five years
Herb will always be remembered as a gentleman - a kind and caring man who, in spite of his many duties always made time to do what he enjoyed most – spend time with his wife and children. And it wasn't unusual to combine a vacation with military duty only to receive the COMMAND from off-post barracks-type housing "Hey dad, aren't we ever going to stay at a place with a pool?" Herb is now in a better place.
The family heartily thanks the staff at Candlewood for all the love, care and attention bestowed on Herb during those heartbreaking years. We salute you!
In addition to his wife, Betty, Herb is survived by their two sons, Wayne and his wife Leslie of New Milford; Bryan and his wife Tammy of Charleston, SC; four grandchildren, Nicholas and his wife, Patricia, of New York City; Wesley and his fiancé Kristie of Delray Beach, FL; Jacqueline and her husband, Carlos Albir of Miami Beach, FL; Jeremy of New Milford, CT and one Great Granddaughter, Briana Riley of Delray Beach, FL. and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a time to be announced.
Arrangements by Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge Street, New Milford