Patricia Jane Riegel
September 9, 1934 ~ May 31, 2024
Patricia Jane (Flynn) Riegel, 89, passed away peacefully at home in the company of her family on May 31st, 2024.
Born on September 9th, 1934 to Joseph and Irene Flynn in Queens, NY, Pat had many interests, to include history, music, literature, needlepoint, and Catholicism. She graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in 1952. In 1956, she graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelors Degree in English with a minor in psychology. Pat earned her Masters in Career Counseling from Chapman College in 1981. Her lifelong Catholic faith was central to her character and her approach to service of others. In 2002, she completed a four-year course in Biblical Studies from the Archdiocese of Denver.
The day after graduation from UMD, Pat married Bob Riegel, and began her career as an Air Force wife. Her ability to pick up, move, and plug into new communities as a natural leader served her and her family well. Pat was recognized as Military Wife of the Year at Little Rock Air Force Base in 1973 for her work in the community. In addition to being a Girl Scout troop leader in four councils, and Tres Condados Girl Scout Council President, Pat was a Eucharistic Minister and lector for eight parishes for over 50 years. She was a docent and past-president of volunteers at two living-history parks: Prelado de los Tesoros at La Purisima State Historic Park in Lompoc, California, and Four Mile Historic Park in Denver, Colorado. Pat was an active member and president of the Lompoc-Vandenberg Branch of the American Association of University Women for several years. She also served in several leadership roles for the Denver Symphony Guild. As a parent, Pat was supportive without being over-bearing, loving without being smothering, and understanding without being overly-permissive. As a wife of nearly 68 years, she was a dedicated life partner and one half of a perfect pair.
Pat loved her dogs. She treated her dachshunds like ankle-height indulged children. They were well cared for and returned her affection. Fritz stayed close to her in her final days, and when he was no longer allowed to lie in bed with her, he took up residence under her bed to stay close.
Pat is survived by her husband, Lt Col Robert W. Riegel, USAF (retired), her children Kathleen (Peter) Hayes of Oakland, CA, Alison (Brian) Robinson of Leonardtown, MD, Margaret (Karl Petermann) Riegel of Oakland, CA, Jennifer (Roger) Johnson of Leonardtown, MD, and Robert (Anne) of Colorado Springs, CO, 15 grandchildren, and a growing roster of over 17 great grandchildren. Pat was predeceased by her parents and by her sister, Kathleen Flynn of Orlando, FL.
We cherish the handmade treasures she gifted to each of us over the years, and we will strive to be a living testimony to her good life. A Memorial Mass will be held at Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church in Leonardtown, MD on June 24th, 2024 at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Denver Symphony Guild Gold Circle at http://coloradosymphonyguild.org/support-us.
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Bob, I am so sorry to read about Pat. She trained me as a volunteer for Four Mile and we were lifelong friends. Please give me a call. I don’t have your new number and I miss wishing you birthday greetings. Pat will be missed and remembered by so many.