Donald “Don” Gene Riegel, 77

Don Riegel of Coeur d’Alene passed away December 13, 2013, at Kootenai Health after a 6 month battle with cancer and other complications.

Don was born in Denver, Colorado on July 11, 1936, to Donald Willard Riegel and Genevieve Carroll Riegel. He grew up and attended school in Mullan and Wallace, Idaho. In 1954 he left high school at 17 to join the Air Force, attaining his GED while in the service. He trained in aircraft mechanics in Texas before going to Germany for 3 ½ years and serving as crew chief on fighter jets.

After leaving the service he settled in the San Francisco and Oakland areas and attended the Art Institute in Oakland. From there he moved to Seattle where he enrolled in the Cornish School of Allied Arts from 1964 until 1967, then went to work for Walter Dorn Teague, an interior design firm that was on contract to Boeing at the time. When layoffs came about he returned to Coeur d'Alene and eventually moved to Lewiston where he registered at Lewis & Clark College in small engine repair.

In April 1981 Don married Charlene Long and they began a very rewarding 33 year personal and business partnership. Don worked for Dingle’s Hardware for a couple of years, buying their small engine repair and relocating it on 4th Street and operating the business until his retirement in 2003.

In 1981 Don joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He quickly advanced through the chairs of the Post, District and Department, becoming State Commander in 1992-1993. He attained "All-American Commander" that year, the Department satisfying the numerous goals set by the National Office. Several years later he was voted in as Council Member for Idaho, Montana and Washington. He later became Quartermaster for the Coeur d’Alene Post, State Membership Chairman and National Recruiter. His recruiting skills were excellent, averaging 100 - 200+ new members each year.

In the meantime, Don was selected by the Governor to serve on the Idaho Veterans Affairs Commission, serving 18 years, about half of them as Chairman of the Commission. Again, he was appointed as North Idaho’s representative on the Governance Committee for the Washington Veterans Cemetery which began construction about 5 years ago at Medical Lake, Washington.

Among Don’s many achievements, he received the Idaho VFW’s first Lifetime Achievement award in 2008, and was selected as Mr. VFW for the 2013 year.

Don and Char loved boating, and could be found out in their boat during good weather. They enjoyed the many conferences and meetings of the VFW, and got acquainted with numerous cities of the U.S. while attending, as well as the cruises available for VFW members. They enjoyed camping and other outings with family.

In addition to his beloved wife Char, Don leaves two sisters: Sarah Peterson, Coeur d’Alene and Melva Jesse, Opportunity, Washington; two brothers: Darrell Peterson, Seattle and Dennis Riegle, Osburn, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves 3 step daughters: Cindy Long of Woodinville, Washington, Lori DeCoff of Spokane Valley, and Susan Mitchell of Springville, Utah; and step-grandchildren:  Carisa McFarlen, Lindy Pessein, and Brandon DeCoff, all of Spokane Valley; and three step-great grandsons, who will all miss him dearly.

There will not be any services for Don, per his instructions. If you care to donate to cancer research in Don’s memory, please make your check payable to "Ladies Auxiliary, VFW," and send to P.O. Box 416, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83816.