Bowling Green State University Athletics
Pete Riesen Passes Away
October 16, 2007 | Football
Oct. 16, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio * - Armin John "Pete" Riesen, 82, of Findlay, died Saturday (Oct. 13, 2007) at Blanchard Valley Health Center, Findlay.
Mr. Riesen was a former assistant football coach and head wrestling coach at Bowling Green State University. He was nominated for the Mid-American Conference coach of the year for the 1981-82 wrestling season. He also served as head football and wrestling coach at Heidelberg College, where he was nominated for coach of the year for Division III football in 1972. His squad at Heidelberg went 11-0 and earned the Ohio Athletic Conference championship title.
Mr. Riesen started his coaching career at Huron High School, where he was the head football coach. He also served at Mentor High School, where he was head football coach and started the wrestling program; Marion Harding High School, where he was head football coach; and Admiral King High School, where he was head football and wrestling coach.
He has been inducted into seven halls of fame.
A Navy veteran, he served during World War II as a machinist third class. He was stationed in the South Pacific on the battleship USS North Carolina and was present at Tokyo Bay for the signing of the peace treaty that led to the end of the war.
A 1951 graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, he received his master's degree in education while at BGSU.
Born April 21, 1925 in New Springfield to John and Irene (Gebhardt) Riesen, he married Kathleen M. "Kay" McCall on Oct. 23, 1947 in Youngstown. She survives.
Kay is also a former long-time employee of the BGSU athletic department.
Also surviving are a daughter, Michele Riesen-Indre, Findlay; three sons, Jeff, Elyria; Mark, of Tiffin; and Matt, Van Buren; a sister, Doris Grossen, Columbiana; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Colleen Donaghy, and a grandson, Brent Riesen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Church East, Findlay, at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Father Mike Hohenbrink will officiate. The Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad will perform military rites.
Memorials may be made to the church, 422 Western Ave., Findlay, Ohio 45840; or Heidelberg College's football and wrestling programs, 310 E. Market St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883-2462.
Arrangements are being handled by Routson Funeral Chapel, Findlay.
* much of this information courtesy the BG Sentinel-Tribune
