Reed A. Riegel

Reed A. Riegel, son of Gayle A. Riegel and Helen McCord Riegel, was born February 6, 1949, in Lancaster, Ohio. Reed was “Mr. Everything” at Lancaster High School, not only was he involved in football (all league), wrestling, and track, he was also the yearbook editor, lead actor in the senior class play, a member of the National Honor Society, and was elected State Treasurer of Buckeye Boys State. In college at Ohio Wesleyan University, Reed participated in football, wrestling, and lacrosse. After graduating, he worked in corporate America before changing gears to focus on his true passion — sports. For more than 30 years, he officiated college and high school football, wrestling, lacrosse, and volleyball. As a referee, Reed was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the United States Flag and Touch Football League and received recognition from the Ohio High School Athletic Association. Another one of his favorite events was mud volleyball; for more than 20 years, he helped organize and referee the charity tournament for the Epilepsy Foundation. On December 11, 2018, Reed slipped peacefully away in Lancaster. Reed is remembered for his love of family and friends, his sense of humor, his appreciation of the environment, and his passion for sports. He made a career of officiating, but he also did home remodeling, carpentry, and construction. His meticulous work left clients pleased with the results – as long as they paid by the job, not by the hour. Storytelling was another one of his gifts; while you could always be sure that half of the story was true, often you did not know which half. Reed always traveled with extra trash bags and anytime he spotted litter, he would stop to pick it up. He loved to make his nieces laugh. Reed had a magical ability to throw grapes in the air, catch them in his mouth, and peel them with his teeth. When it came to packing the trunk of a car, his “Tetris skills” could methodically squeeze and layer everything in so tightly, there would not be room for a postcard. Reed was smart, funny, talented, generous, and kind, and he will always be missed. Reed is survived by siblings, Mark Riegel and Nan Berrian; nieces, Laura Morales, Ashley Murphy, and Amy Schadt; great-nephews, Ben and Will Murphy; and great-niece Brinley Morales. He was preceded in death by his parents. A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church, 163 E. Wheeling St. Lancaster, Ohio. The calling hour started at 1:30 pm, followed by the service at 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Reed Riegel Memorial Fund, a scholarship fund at the Fairfield County Foundation, 162 E. Main St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130. 

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