Richard ""Dick"" M. Riegel

Richard M. ""Dick"" Riegel, 82, of Morrison passed away on January 5, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born on October 20, 1936 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. He was the son of Melvin and Jeanette (Ruder) Riegel, and grew up the oldest of three children.
After graduating from Redwood Falls High School, Dad ventured off to the University of Notre Dame and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1958. Thus, his lifelong engagement with the University began that included being a part of the ND Club of Washington, DC, the ND Club of Denver, he was a member of the Senior Alumni Board for the University - and he attended as many Notre Dame events as possible over the many years since his graduation.
After Notre Dame, Dad enlisted in the US Army, and served two years in Okinawa, Japan before transferring into the Army Reserves as he returned home. Soon thereafter he embarked on a 37-year career as a proud civil servant, serving at the Pentagon with the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense, and for the final 31 years in various roles within the Department of the Interior. His final role was serving as the Director of Human Resources for the Bureau of Reclamation at the Federal Center in Lakewood, CO.
While working at the Pentagon, he met the love of his life, Virginia Riegel and after a courtship of just five months they were engaged in February of 1967, and married in August of that year. A joyous Irish wedding was held in Roslindale, MA at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and so married life began. Dad loved being Jack Doyle's favorite son-in-law. Then they had the great fortune to move into their first home in Arlington, VA next to Baron and Margaret Baranowski - and they benefited from the lifelong friendship with their family. ""Backdoor neighbors"" was the way the closeness was expressed, but it was more like backdoor family. The B's were like a third set of grandparents to the Riegel kids.
Dad was the proud father of three children - Matthew, Michael, and Mary Beth - and took great joy in their lives, as he always wanted to hear the stories of the people they worked with, and offer his advice on how to handle various situations. He loved his five grandchildren - Sarah, Mark, Megan, Jack & Alexandra - beyond measure. He took great interest in their studies, their sports and school performances, and was the perfect grandpa to love them endlessly!
Dad also treasured his many visits back to Minnesota to spend time with family. He loved the family reunions, the time with Kathy & Les Schrupp and Chuck & Cathie Riegel and their families. He was a proud uncle to his ten nieces and nephews and had special memories of tubing on the Apple River, and everyone's various visits to us in Virginia & Colorado.
Dad loved to play golf and proudly went to his grave as the reigning champion of the Golden Putter contest within his extended family. Whether is was playing with his golf buddies from St Ann's parish in Arlington, his friends and co-workers at the Homestead Golf Course where he also worked, or with his friends in the Men's Senior Metro League in the Denver area - he loved playing, but more than anything loved the people and the comradery. Similarly, over the past few years, he enjoyed a good game of poker, but the golf game or the poker game was really just a means to be with great people.
Dad also had a strong faith in God - and was well known for never being late to church! Late was of course defined as anything less than 10 minutes early. His love of God was reflected in his tireless service to the Catholic Church - especially back at St. Ann's Parish in Arlington, VA. Whether it was serving as Co-Chairman of the Annual Parish festival with his lifelong friend Steve Luchessi, working the bingo nights, serving at a Scout Leader for the Parish troop, or counting the collection once per month, he always said yes to any request for his time, talent, or treasure. He was a lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2473 in Arlington, keeping up membership even after his 30 years in Denver. His time at Notre Dame also gave him a special devotion to Mary, the Mother of our Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ginny, their children, Matthew, Michael and his wife Liz, Mary Beth Urrutia and her husband John, and five grandchildren, Sarah, Mark, Megan, Jack, Alexandra.
Dad loved God, loved and served his family, worked tirelessly for his country, and always cheered for Notre Dame. Quite simply it was God, Family, Country & Notre Dame.
A Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2019 from 4:00pm - 6:00pm with a Rosary at 6:00pm at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood. The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 10:30 AM at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton. Dad will be buried with Military Honors to celebrate his 39 years of public service on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 10:30 AM at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd. Denver.
The family requests that memorial donations in his honor be made to support the mission of the Capuchin Franciscans, St. Francis of Assisi Friary - 3553 Wyandot St - Denver, CO 80211. More info about their mission and donating online is at – https://capuchins.org/support-the-capuchins/

Visitation: January 13, 2019 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Recitation of the Rosary : January 13, 2019 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Funeral Mass: January 14, 2019 10:30 am

St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church
6673 W Chatfield Ave
Littleton, CO 80128

http://www.sfcparish.org/

Graveside Service: January 15, 2019 10:30 am

Fort Logan National Cemetery
3698 South Sheridan Boulevard
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 761-0117
https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/ftlogan.asp