Floyd "Bud" Rieck Obituary (1930 - 2019)

Floyd "Bud" Rieck passed away at the age of 88 on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, in Grants, New Mexico. Bud will be interred at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at Compassion Mortuary, Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 2 p.m. Bud was born November 26, 1930, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Oscar and Josephine (Westlund) Rieck. After dating for 2-1/2 years, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Triplett, on February 24, 1951 - they were married for more than 68 years. Bud served his country in the United States Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from 1951-53; he was discharged honorably with the rank of Corporal. They had two children, Julie and Brad. After leaving the Army, Bud and Shirley settled in Wyoming, Minn. where he was the manager of his father-in-law's cafe. In the summers of 1961 and '62 he served as Food Service Director at the Training Center, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, N. M. In 1962 the family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where Bud worked for Greyhound Food Management. In 1963 Bud was transferred to San Angelo College, San Angelo Texas, as its Food Service Director. 1968 brought the Rieck family back to New Mexico to Las Vegas where Bud became the Food Service Director at New Mexico Highlands University. In 1970 he changed companies to Ara-mark and took over the food service operation at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg, West Virginia. In 1973 he transferred to Daniel Drake Memorial Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then transferred in 1974 to the University of Toledo which, he said later, was one of the best jobs he'd ever had. But, owning his own restaurant was his dream and he fulfilled it in 1975 by joining his brother-in-law, Eddie Foster, at a supper club in Burlington, Wisconsin. After the restaurant was running profitably, they left Wisconsin; Bud and Shirley moved to Grants in 1976 and purchased the local Tastee Freeze. Years later they opened another one in Thoreau, and in 1985 they opened the former Hobo Jo's Restaurant as the Grants Station Restaurant-later adding a caboose in the parking lot. Bud's involvement in his community included being a Boy Scout leader in Minnesota and sponsoring 4-H and other youth organizations in Grants. He served in several leadership positions at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church during his membership there. He was president of the local Rotary Club; he also served for over 20 years on the Grants Housing Authority Board, many years as president. And, being in the restaurant business, he and Shirley joined the New Mexico Restaurant Association and soon after he was elected to its Board and eventually served as President. Bud enjoyed cards and games with his family, refinishing furniture, and reading, but most of all he enjoyed being with his family. Bud was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law. He is survived by his wife: Shirley; his children: Julie Junod and Brad Rieck; daughter-in-law: Anne; three granddaughters: Jennifer Junod, Elyssa Metas, and Krista Metas; his sister: Harriett Foster; three brothers: Donald, "Jack" and George; and his constant companion: Hannah the Shih-Tzu. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your charity of choice in Bud's name.