Robert W. Rieman

Robert W. (William) Rieman OTTAWA - Robert W. Rieman, MD, 93, born June 23, 1918, passed away on February 11, 2012, Daytona Fl. Bob was born the son of William and Frieda Riemann of Mokena IL. Bob was born the oldest of three children. He had two sisters Dorothy (Blair) Rieman and Marilyn (Laurion) Rieman. Bob attended elementary school in Faribault, MN. He graduated from North High School in Minneapolis, MN in 1936. Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota (in pre-med) in 1940 and continued at the University of Minnesota in Medical school until his graduation in 1944. Bob's med school residency took him to Johnson Hospital, in Milwaukee, WI where he met Betty Rowell of Waukesha, WI. Betty was doing her nursing residency. Bob was the night shift physician at Johnson Hospital. They both worked many night shifts together--"THINGS DEVELOPED!" Remember- Dick (Richard Robert) did not show-up until 1949. Bob and Betty were married March 29, 1946. His father William preformed the marriage at a Lutheran Church located in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Shortly after the wedding Bob was inducted into the US Army as a physician during WWII. By November of 1946 Bob was sent to Panama working for the Canal Zone. Betty followed Bob to Panama 2 months later. Bob and Betty spent two years in Panama giving soldiers inoculations so they could survive the diseases encountered in the Pacific. In June of 1948 Bob and Betty started their life together in Ottawa, Illinois. Bob was a co-founder of the Ottawa Medical Center along with two other physicians (F.P. Twohey and Delbert McKinney). Betty worked part time with Bob at the center. Bob practiced internal medicine while the medical center grew with thousands of patents and over 8 physicians during his career. Bob and Betty had two boys Richard Robert (1949) and William Roy (1951). Betty and Bob had countless friends during their active/growing years. These Friends have been a pillar of strength for the Rieman Family through their lives. In December of 1979 Bob and Betty moved to Winter Haven, Florida. Bob enjoyed golfing, swimming, and various card games--especially Bridge. Bob also took on a "part time" job with the Polk County General Hospital that evolved into being the Medical Director. Their group of friends grew even stronger during their semi-retirement years. Often visits from Dick and Bill's families were major highlights during this period for Betty and Bob. Finally, Betty laid down the law and told Bob he was fully retiring. They traveled to Africa, Europe, Alaska and the Galapagos Islands with Bob's sisters, and their husbands. Bob and Betty moved in late October 2005 to a retirement village, Canterbury-On-The-Lake in Waterford, MI to be close to their sons and family. Once again many more new acquaintances were established. In November 2006, Betty was diagnosed with cancer and passed in late December. Bob continued to reside at Canterbury-On-The-Lake with trips to Florida each winter with Dick and Karen. He loved to spend the time there because he could sleep in and not have to miss a meal!! He passed peacefully in their home. Bob was also lucky enough to have know his two great granddaughters Lauren Kaye and Macy Jo. Bob's walker was Lauren's "hot rod". Bob is survived by, his sister Marilyn (Rieman) Laurion, two sons, Richard Robert (Karen) Rieman and William Roy (Peg) Rieman; and her three grandsons, Jeffrey William (Julie) Rieman, Jonathan Robert (Mandi) Rieman and James Edward Rieman. Great-granddaughters Lauren Kaye and Macy Jo. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Ottawa Funeral Home with the Revs. Lisa Hadler and Ryan Mustered officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2012 at Ottawa Funeral Home for family and friends. Memorials may be directed to First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ottawa.