Richard Ernst Riebel

Richard Ernst Riebel, age 93, of Grand Rapids passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, February 3, and is now resting in the arms of Jesus. Dick was born on September 20, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the fourth oldest of six sons to Frederick Carl and Elizabeth Becker Riebel, who immigrated from Germany. Dick completed night school in Cincinnati prior to his military service in the Army from 1942-1945. He was proud of the fact that he and his five brothers were all in the Armed Services. After his military service Dick received a BA in Accounting and later earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance and Accounting. His employment began when he was a teenager with a paper-magazine route that he shared with his brother, Robert. Dick worked for several Cincinnati companies before moving to Grand Rapids in 1952 with his wife, Audrey (Pam), and three small children. Dick co-founded Foremost Insurance Company and was president and CEO from 1954 to 1986. He continued entrepreneurial ventures until his retirement in 2011. Throughout his lifetime, Dick was committed to his family, civic responsibilities and was generous with his time, expertise, and financial resources. He was a dignified man of integrity and perseverance whose deep faith carried him through life's many challenges. Dick was preceded in death by his first wife, Audrey, mother of their eight children; daughter-in-law, Carole (Fred) Riebel; daughter, Marie Elizabeth Riebel; and his brothers, Frederick, William, Robert and Gerald. He is survived by his wife of twenty years, Kathleen C.; his brother, Dalbert ‘Pete' (Charlene); and seven children, Richard (Kandace), Patricia Cassidy, David (Sharon), Frederick, William, Robert (Kelly) and Timothy; patriarch to fifty two grandchildren and great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 8th at 11AM at Thornapple Covenant Church, 6595 Cascade Rd SE in Grand Rapids. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 7th from 1-4PM at Ofield Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave SE in Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or a charity of your choice.



Service Information

Visitation
When: Sunday, February 7, 2016 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location:
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo AveKentwood,MI 49508

Service
When: Monday, February 8, 2016 11:00am
Location:
Address: 4500 Kalamazoo AveKentwood,MI 49508

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