Dr. Richard George Riedel

Dr. Richard "Dick" Riedel, age 92, of Lancaster, Ohio, passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 2, 2026.

Born on April 27, 1934, in West Allis, Wisconsin, to Gordon Charles and Sylvia Marie (Hunt) Riedel, Dick lived a life defined by faith, service, learning, and an unwavering love for his family. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved daughter, Elizabeth Anne Riedel.

Dick graduated from Monmouth College before earning his master's and doctorate in theological studies and continuing his education at Princeton University. He was a proud member of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) and cherished the lifelong friendships he made there, often sharing stories from his fraternity days.

On December 27, 1958, Dick married the love of his life, Mary Jane Lewis, at Highland United Presbyterian Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Together they shared more than 68 years of marriage, building a home centered on faith, love, laughter, and family.

In addition to his wife, Mary Jane, Dick is survived by his children, Timothy (AJ), Mark Riedel (Lori), and Susan Luby (Edward); his grandchildren, Davis and Matthew Riedel, Jayson Coppo (Chai), Alex Riedel (Jamie), Grant Luby (Kayla), and Erin Luby-Rienschield (Jack); and his cherished great-grandsons, Hayden and Brooks Riedel. Nothing brought Dick greater joy than watching his family grow and spending time with those he loved.

Dick faithfully served as a Presbyterian minister for more than 60 years, leading congregations with compassion, wisdom, and grace. His ministry took him to the communities of Mercer, New Castle, and Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and Lancaster, New Albany, Mount Vernon, and Rushville, Ohio. He also believed deeply in serving each community beyond the church, giving generously of his time through civic involvement wherever he lived.

Nothing made Dick happier than talking sports with the people he loved. Whether he was discussing the Cleveland Cavaliers' schedule, calling to ask, "What channel is Nebraska volleyball on tonight?", sports were one of his favorite ways to connect with family and friends. He faithfully followed the athletic programs of Clemson, Virginia Tech, Ohio University, and The Ohio State University, where members of his family attended, and he knew statistics like no other. But above all else, Dick was a devoted lifelong Green Bay Packers fan. Everyone who knew him understood that when the Packers were playing, everything else could wait. He celebrated every victory, agonized over every loss, and never missed an opportunity to talk football with anyone willing to listen. Members of his congregations quickly learned that Vince Lombardi's quotes ranked just behind the New Testament.

When he wasn't watching sports, Dick could often be found on the golf course, a game he loved and proudly passed along to his sons. For many years, he enjoyed countless rounds with an Arnold Palmer in hand and a joke ready to tell. More than the score, he loved the camaraderie of the game, the conversations between shots, and the friendships formed out on the fairways and greens. Sometimes he would counsel on the long walks and sometimes he was counseled on his bad shots.

Beyond sports, Dick had a lifelong love of books and music. He often joked that there should never be a limit on buying books or a good pair of shoes. His passion for reading eventually inspired him to become an author, writing books that reflected his faith and his belief that every day is a new beginning. He took great pride in sharing his writings with family, friends, and anyone who might find encouragement in their pages.

As Dick often reminded others, a person's life is not measured by the dates at the beginning and end, but by the dash between them. His own dash was filled with extraordinary faith, steadfast love, joyful service, and hope. He devoted his life to shepherding others, celebrating their joys, sharing their burdens, and pointing them toward hope in Christ. The countless lives he touched through baptisms, weddings, sermons, hospital visits, home visits, and quiet moments of prayer stand as a testament to a life lived faithfully. He leaves behind not only a loving family but also generations of people whose lives were forever changed by his ministry, friendship, wisdom, and example.

We know upon arriving in heaven, Vince Lombardi greeted him with a familiar smile and one simple phrase: "You're late—we've already started practice."

It was, by every measure, a life well lived.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Details will be announced as they become available.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Rushcreek Presbyterian Church Mission Fund, 7741 E. Main St., Rushville, Ohio 43150 or First Presbyterian Church Mission Fund, 222 N. Broad St., Lancaster, Ohio 43130 in his memory.