Richard Allan Riedel

Richard Allan Riedel was born on July 11, 1953. In Wheeling, West Virginia. It is said that the earth trembled slightly as he came into this world...with a black and blue eye, no less. A premonition of sorts...
He was dubbed "Battle" by those on his high school wrestling team, and it was in high school that his life changed dramatically when a good friend passed away tragically in a motorcycle accident. Rick decided his future then and there--if he couldn't save his friend, he would save as many lives as he could from that point on...his battle declared against death.
Rick became a paramedic before receiving his degree as a Registered Nurse in 1978. From there, his thirst for medical knowledge and training seemed to never be quenched. He went on to work in the emergency, trauma and coronary care units of West Virginia University Medical Center in Morgantown. As time went on Rick longed for a warmer, sunnier climate, more conducive to his active lifestyle that included tennis, hiking, running, boxing, karate, and wearing at least 3 plastic suits under his clothes at all times during these activities to "get all the toxins out" (not recommended). He happened to stop in Arizona on his planned venture out to California. However-- one look at the colorful, dry beauty of the Arizona desert - and he knew he had found his home forever.
It was in Sun City, Arizona at Boswell Hospital where another "happening" occurred. The chance meeting of an effervescent fellow RN, who Rick described frequently as "the funniest girl I ever met" (Diana McKolanis of DuBois, PA)--who had also just recently moved to Arizona. After a 3-month whirlwind romance filled with comedy clubs, Disneyland visits, Diana's impressions of cartoons and the resulting belly laughs that lightened Rick's (then-serious) demeanor--the good-looking twosome married at Brotherhood of Man Chapel in the Desert in Phoenix on October 3rd, 1980.
After marriage, Rick forged ahead in his career. His impressive resume spanned over 20+ years in the medical field and included nursing, supervisory and teaching experience in emergency/trauma departments, medical/surgical intensive care and coronary care units, as well as flight nurse experience aboard rotor and fixed-wing air medical transports. His passion for flight and medicine were in perfect unison at his time at Air Evac in the 1980's, where for 6 years he served as Chief Flight Nurse, as well as Director of Flight Personnel. He was intensely proud of his contributions here, which allowed him to utilize many of his talents including:
1)Developing studies which established the safety of performing electrical cardiac defibrillation in helicopters.
2)Designing & implementing a computerized, clinical database that the InfoTech Corporation, in cooperation with Air Evac--marketed and sold as a package.
3)Configuring and designing an Agusta 109 helicopter and an Aerospatiale Twinstar helicopter for medical equipment for Air Evac, as well as supervising the installation. The aircraft configurations were then advertised, marketed and the design specs sold by the Sfena Corporation in cooperation with Air-Evac.
4)Establishing a formalized and intensive continuing education program for flight nurses and paramedics via the Arizona Nurses Association.
His certifications and teaching experiences were vast, as were his contributions to healthcare. However, Rick felt his greatest contributions came his way in 1982 and 1990, when his daughters were born. Kristi came first, and Katherine (Kat) followed. Each enjoyed a unique and wonderful relationship with their dad. His personality held a kaleidoscope of nuances.... purposeful, driving, loving, protective, fun, intense and contemplative. He wore his heart on his sleeve with those he trusted and knew well and he always stood up for the underdog--anywhere, anytime. He got involved in situations when he didn't need to--to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. His faith and dedication to Christ and the moral desire to "always do what's right & true" defined him. His kids had a healthy fear of crossing him, but knew he was their biggest advocate and teacher of "life stuff". Dad would always know what to do! He even went so far as to be a literal teacher when Rick and Diana decided to homeschool Kristi for high school and Kat from grade school onward. And despite Kristi's attitude about it at the time, it was a great success, as both girls were able to go to college early and graduate with all A's and with honors.
The "lionheart" of the Riedel house, Rick created memories that will forever remain in the souls of his family. Worth noting is how Rick could become a child with his children when he played with them, spending hours reading books (with character tones and inflections), "making the voice" of stuffed animals, building tents, talking on walkie talkies after designated bedtime (against Mom's rules!), having fun in the pool, introducing his kids to their lifelong love of vinyl and rock and roll, constructing drawings and projects like designing Victorian homes together, getting junky foods like Hostess Cherry hand pies and McDonald's Happy Meals, family "jam sessions" with guitar, drumsticks pounding and records blasting, flying kites, watching kid shows as well as "grown up" shows together (like Magnum PI, Miami Vice, The A Team, & Seinfeld) cooking the most disgusting cheese eggs ever--(sometimes including chunks of hot dogs) which he forced his kids to eat hot or cold.... etc. There was never a dull moment.
Some of his passions included trains, helicopters, Victorian homes, lighthouses, Aerospace, participating in outdoor activities and sports in ungodly heat, setting up his Bedford Falls themed train platform (with a beloved Lionel train) he put together himself with all the buildings and characters at Christmastime, rooting for his beloved Detroit Lions and Chicago Cubbies, listening to rock and blues on vinyl, playing with our boxer dogs we had over the years, ordering random odd things from TV commercials, and committing himself to studying anything he was interested in--including obtaining a Religious Studies degree from Liberty University and even going to school for & obtaining certification as an electrician!
Rick and Diana made sure their children never lacked for anything. Generous with money and time, Rick's giving nature was evident not only to his family ("Take some coin kid, never know when you're gonna need it") ...but also to the many people and causes that were close to his heart. The National Trust Historic Preservation, The Wounded Warrior Project, The Salvation Army, his local Awaken Life Church...and many more. In Arizona's 100+ degree heat he often drove bottles of water and tracts about God around the city, giving them out to the homeless or whoever needed it.
Ultimately in his 40's, Rick was forced into an early retirement from his nursing career, as various health problems and diagnoses began cropping up. Despite many hard days Rick always fought onward. He battled for years, often unable to leave his bed. He was given 2 years to live about 15 years ago. Ultimately, though, his battle came to an end on Thursday morning, December 27th, 2018. His last Christmas (his favorite holiday) was spent with his family as he rallied one last time for us--talking a little, laughing at our jokes wishing us a Merry Christmas, and just being his wonderful self. He may have lost his lifelong battle against death personally, but gained a lifelong place alongside his Father in Heaven.
Rick leaves behind (for a while) - his wife Diana Riedel, his daughters Kristi Cartolano (John), and Katherine Candreva (Mac), as well as his wonderful friends in Wheeling, West Virginia and across the country that have cared, called, prayed for him and have corresponded with him over the years. In addition, Rick leaves three brothers, two sisters and multiple nieces/nephews and their families in West Virginia, Ohio, and other various states. He was preceded in death by his parents Junior Morris Riedel and Evelyn James Riedel of Wheeling.
Visitation: Friday, January 4, 2019 from 5:00pm-6:00pm at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary
Service: Friday, January 4, 2019 at 6:00pm with a reception to follow at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary 6500 E Bell road Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Burial: Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 10:00am at Desert Hills Memorial Park 6500 E Bell road Scottsdale, AZ 85254

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