George Riley

George Riley was an accomplished man in his professional and personal life. He was an expert in his job and generous toward people. Big-hearted and kind, bold and humorous George gave himself to others and received rich reward as a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.

George’s story began as the United States was recovering from the First World War and experiencing growth in industry and employment. He came of age during the Great Depression and, like others his age, met the challenge of a second world war that earned them the distinction of being called “The Greatest Generation.”

George was born January 25, 1921 in Buchanan, Michigan to Harleigh and Verna (Sparrowk.) Riley, the youngest of six children: Ione, Harleigh “Sonny”, Ruthe, Alene, Fred and George. Already as a child, George developed multiple interests that he explored as a Boy Scout and then Eagle Scout. In high school, he was particularly interested in photography, a pursuit that lasted into adulthood.

When George graduated from Buchanan High School in 1939, he had already met the young woman of his dreams. Agnes “Rustee” had long auburn hair and an outgoing personality, and the first time he laid eyes on her, 15 year-old George was smitten. They got acquainted when he took Rustee and her friends for a ride in the country. The two fell in love, and George walked his beautiful bride down the aisle on May 30, 1942.

Six months earlier, the bombing of a naval base on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii sparked a declaration of war by U.S. President Roosevelt. Heeding the call to arms, George had joined the Navy shortly before he was married, and he served his country proudly during World War II.

At the end of the war, George applied to Tri-State College of Engineering under the G.I. Bill, and he and Agnes moved to Angola, Indiana. He earned a degree in Administrative Engineering in 1948 and returned to Buchanan when he landed a job with Electro-Voice, a manufacturer of audio equipment. In 1963, George became a Michigan sales representative for electronics. In 1966, he received the Alumni Distinguished Service Award from Tri-State, and in 1979, he and Rustee bought a home in Plainwell, Michigan, where he retired in 1989.

George was a master of his trade, wrote many technicial articles for many trade magazines and published a book on sound systems. After retirement, he remained in the music business and kept up with electronics. He listened to different types of music and was a Ham radio operator. Additional hobbies that capitalized on George’s abilities were photography, printing and astronomy. He had several telescopes and, along with his children John and Sandy, he enjoyed hours of fun on the family’s go-carts. He shared his daughter’s interest in horses and horse shows and always kept cats for pets.

As a family, the Rileys took many vacations, some quite adventurous such as scuba diving in the Florida Keys and boating on Lake Michigan. George liked spending time with his family as well as with friends at his Masonic lodge, where he was a member since 1959. If he relaxed at home, no doubt it was with his favorite drink—extra dry gin martini, straight up with no garnish.

Given his many activities, it is accurate to say that George was very outgoing. He was also a jokester and gained a reputation for the gags he pulled. All in all, George loved life and the people around him.

George Riley, age 92, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His family includes his son John (Elizabeth) Riley of Plainwell; his daughter Sandra (Merrill) Babcock of Portage; grandchildren: Jeffrey (Jill) Riley, Timothy (Jessica) Riley, Jayne Riley; great grandchildren: Casey and Blake. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Agnes “Rustee” Riley in 2006 and his siblings: Ione, Harleigh V., Ruthe, Alene and Fred. A memorial service will be held in Buchanan in the Spring. Please visit George’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, sign the guestbook online, achieve a memory and upload a photo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association or a charity of choice.