Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Riese, Herman William  September 28 2004
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K T bluewolf@onemain.com October 3, 2004, 3:52 pm

The Bakersfield Californian
Herman William Riese
May 19, 1917 Sept. 28, 2004

Services: Tues., Oct. 5, 9 & 11 a.m. 

Herman William Riese went home to be with his Lord and Savior, and to be 
reunited with his beloved wife, Viola on Tuesday, September 28, 2004.

Herman was born to Ferdinand and Edith Riese on May 19, 1917 in Kenosha, 
Wisconsin. He was educated in Kenosha prior to moving to San Diego, California 
in 1937 where he was employed by Consolidated Aircraft building PBY Catalinas 
and later at Balboa Park landscaping the Arboretum. In 1944 Herman met and 
married the love of his life, Viola Frances Hensel, at Bethany Lutheran Church 
in Ocean Beach. In 1949 he moved his family to Bakersfield where he was 
employed by the State Highway Department. In 1952 Herman began his career in 
recreation as the supervisor for Kern County and from 1957-1973 he was the 
Directof of Recreation for the city of Bakersfield. From 1973 until his 
retirement in 1982 he was the Coordinator of the County Golf Courses.

Hermans life was marked by affiliation with various community sports projects. 
He was the driving force behind the formation of the Bob Elias Hall of Fame, 
serving as its first president. He was also a tireless worker in track and 
field. For years he was an Amateur Athletic Union official, holding posts from 
the local to the national and international levels. He was instrumental in the 
AAU holding national championship meets in Bakersfield; was the coordinator of 
the 1967 and 1970 nationals; managed a USA team which visited Europe in 1965; 
directed a National Decathlon meet; and was an offficial at the 1984 Olympic 
in Los Angeles and the 1987 Pan Am Games in Indianapolis.

Hermans commitment and involvement with his church, St. Johns Lutheran, began 
when he moved to Bakesfield in 1949, holding many levels of leadership on the 
local and district levels. His greatest passion during the last years was work 
with the Trustees, a group of awesome friends who volunteer their talents to 
care for St. Johns facilities. Hermans volunteer efforts also found him 
involved in the Jack Frost Football League, Junior Wrestling, the Junior High 
Milk League and the Kiwanis Elementary League, and the Bakersfield Swim Club.

Hermans wife, Viola preceded him in death on June 13, 2004. He is survived by 
his daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Frank ORourke; daughter, Connie Riese; 
grandchildren, Larry and Lisa, Trey and Roxanne, Katy and Alvin and their 
children; sisters, Donna Scarlett and Lois Larson; sister-in-law, Sara Riese; 
brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and June Hensel; and numerous nieces and 
nephews. He was also blessed to be the adopted grandpa to numerous children in 
his church congregation.

Graveside services will be held at Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park, 2739 
Panama Ln., Tuesday, October 5, at 9:00 a.m. and a memorial service to 
celebrate Hermans life will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church, 4500 Buena 
Vista Rd., at 11:00 a.m. folllowed by a luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Johns Children Center, 
Playground Development. Over Hermans 87 years, he touched many lives through 
modeling his strong faith and his quiet steadfast strength on which many 
depended. He will be painfully missed, however, those who knew and loved him, 
rejoice that he is Home with his wife, painfree. We look forward to the days 
we can all celebrate together again. We love you so much Dad, Grandpa and 
forever friend.

A special thank you to Robin Cross R.N., Alice Bender R.N., Angie Mott 
caregiver, Optimal Hospice for their quality care and especially Wayne and 
Shanna Maddox, for always being there. 

YOU DONT HAVE TO TAKE PART IN A SPORT TO BE A GOOD ONE.

Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary

Funeral Directors 


Additional Comments:
Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased.


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