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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Robert "Bob"

Robert "Bob" Eugene Riley Profile Photo

Eugene Riley

Jul 9, 1935 — Feb 20, 2018

Amery

Obituary

Robert Eugene Riley was born on July 9, 1935 to Ronald Everett and Emma Ranghild (Warndahl) Riley in Eureka Township, Polk County, Wisconsin. He grew up in Polk County; was confirmed at Balsam Lutheran Church and graduated from Amery High School. He served his country in the United States Army based in Korea on the DMZ line. Upon his return from Korea, he married Joyce Kathleen Elden of Amery at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa, and to this union three children were born.

Bob never met something with wheels that he didn't think required a motor. The only thing safe was his roller skates. During the 1950's Bob was a well-known dirt track stock car racer. He was very proficient and successful at race tracks throughout North Western Wisconsin. In the winter of 1963, Bob purchased Deronda Auto Salvage. Later that same year, he moved the business north of Amery and it then became Amery Auto Salvage which continues to be a thriving business under the ownership of his son, Scott. Later in the 1960's, someone asked him if he would like to take a ride on their snowmobile; it was love at first ride! Bob became a dealer for Polaris Snowmobiles and was one of their top retailers (this became another business within Amery Auto Salvage.) In 1970 and 1971, Bob participated in the Winnipeg to St. Paul 500 Snowmobile race as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. In 1971 he finished the grueling race in 32 nd place from a field of 300 drivers starting. In 1982, he married Jacquelyn Mae Henneman Berry. They enjoyed many years of motorcycle touring, including trips to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, The Smoky Mountains, North and South Carolina, Yellowstone Park, Glacier Park, The Badlands, Niagara Falls, and their last trip following Route 66 West from Missouri to California and further to San Francisco and East through Lake Tahoe, Pony Express Trail and Colorado to home. He became a distributor of Combi Camp motorcycle trailers, manufactured in Denmark; of course he couldn't just buy one, he had to make sure other people enjoyed them too! Bob did many things in his life, but most important to him was his family and becoming "Uncle Bob" to many young men over the years. He was a kind, giving, fun loving man who felt things very deeply and helped when he could. He was preceded in death by his parents and aunts and uncles Pearl and Irving Danielson, Ruby and Art Schuna, Kenneth and Lois Riley, Laurel and Helga Riley, Leland Riley, Gus and Leona Warndahl, Robert and Margaret Warndahl, Helen and Evan Shogren, Fred Warndahl, Carl Warndahl and Edith and Robert Dosch, as well as grandson, Anthony Berry. Those feeling his loss are his wife Jackie; his sons, Jon (Kris) and Scott; daughter, Susan (Andrew) Maki; step children, Charles (Janice) Berry, Julie (Les) Heiden, and James (Tracy) Berry; eleven grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren; brothers, Duane (Ruth Ann), James (Karen) and sisters, Bobette (William) Drumb and Vonette Beckon. Bob is also survived by his Aunt and Uncle, Doris and Lloyd Nihiser and many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Balsam Lutheran Church in rural Amery. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery, as well as for the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will be at the Balsam Lutheran Cemetery following the funeral service.

Funeral Services

Visitation

February
23

Friday

Williamson - White Funeral Home and Cremation Services

222 Harriman Avenue North, Amery, WI 54001

4:00 - 7:00 pm

Funeral Service

February
24

Saturday

Balsam Lutheran Church

1115 Mains Crossing Ave, Amery, WI 54001

Starts at 11:00 am

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