Robert L. RILEY

RILEY, MILLEA, NIZZI

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 4/9/2017 at 00:06:39

December 18, 1933 ---- April 1, 2017

Robert L. "Bob" Riley, 83, died peacefully on Saturday, April 1, 2017. He was born in Clarion, Iowa on December 18, 1933. Bob lived in Clarion until he was in 4th grade at which time he moved to Des Moines. He graduated high school from Loras Academy where he excelled in football and track. Following high school, he met his soul mate, Rita Millea. He served active duty in the United States Army in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean Conflict. Bob convinced Rita to join him in Fairbanks where they married on May 1, 1955. They enjoyed their honeymoon years in Alaska and then moved to Omaha, Nebraska where Bob completed his law degree in 1962 at Creighton University. He practiced law in Omaha prior to moving to Des Moines with Rita and their four children in 1974. Bob and Rita were married 59 years until Rita's passing in 2014.

Bob was an avid outdoorsman. He loved bird hunting at Lake Cornelia and always had one of his beloved golden retrievers at his side. Bob enjoyed spending time at the lake with his family and friends. He was a devout Catholic, a Eucharistic minister, and a Knights of Columbus member. He loved the YMCA where he played racquetball and was a member of the Frosty Nuts Club where he shared camaraderie with his fellow enthusiasts. Bob loved sports, both as a competitor and as a fan. He officiated at the Drake Relays for twenty-five years.

Bob will be deeply missed by all who loved him, including his children, Jean Riley, Katey (John) Nizzi, Frank "F.D." (Erica) Riley, and Molly Riley; his grandchildren, Nathan, Ben, Megan, Bridta, Bobby, Rick, and Gunther; and three great-grandchildren, Chella, Atlas and Vinny. He was preceded in death by his wife, granddaughter, Meggie, his brother, William, and his parents Minerva and Frank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 7, 2017, at St. Augustin Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. Thursday at Iles-Dunn's Chapel where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Augustin Catholic Church or the YMCA of Greater Des Moines.

Des Moines Register -- Des Moines, Iowa
April 6, 2017