Thomas Day Riethmann

1938 - 2015

Riethmann, Thomas Day Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. Beloved husband of Kathleen Kilkenny Riethmann. Preceded in death by his parents, Louis W. Riethmann, Sr. and Georgia Day Riethmann; by his brother, Louis W. Riethmann, Jr. and his sister, Julia Cross. Dear brother-in-law of Elizabeth Krekorian-Riethmann, William Michael Cross, and Mary Kilkenny Morrow. Cousin; Uncle and great-uncle to many young ones, and dear friend to countless people. Tom was born in East St. Louis, Illinois, in 1938. He attended St. Elizabeth grade school and Assumption Catholic High School there. He entered Saint Louis University in 1955, remaining there as an undergraduate, a graduate student, a graduate teaching assistant and an instructor for more than 20 years. During that time he was honored with a Fulbright award for a year of study in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and a later award to Africa as a national group of teachers of African colonial history. He was awarded a PhD. in history in 1979. Following his sojourn at Saint Louis University he became a college administrator at Saint Louis Community, serving there for over 20 years, and retiring in 2000. Not one to be idle, he was a volunteer at SSM St. Mary's Health Center until shortly before his death, having been awarded with a lapel pen for over 2000 hours of service. He was also a volunteer usher at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL and the Sheldon Concert Hall. He was an active member and volunteer at St. Michael the Archangel Church. Tom was an avid reader and watcher of history books and films. He was a charter member of the Missouri Historical Museum and a long-time member of the 1904 World's Fair Society. His other passion was music. He was a supporter and fan of Union Avenue Opera, the Saint Louis Symphony, the Gateway Festival Orchestra, and Lyric Opera of Chicago . One who loved the Saint Louis Community, he also supported Forest Park Forever, the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Science Center, and the East Side Heart and Home Family Center among others. He was so generous and giving. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed. Services: Funeral from Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary, 6464 Chippewa on Thursday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m. to St. Michael the Archangel Church, 7622 Sutherland, Shrewsbury, MO for 10 a.m. Mass. Interment, Calvary Cemetery. If desired donations to American Lung Association, 1118 Hampton Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63139 or Hospice Service of St. Luke's Hospital c/o St. Luke's Development Office, 231 S Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017 will be appreciated. Visitation Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Please share memories and condolences at www.hoffmeistercolonial.com.