Former director of State B tournament dies

Gene Rieger was a people person, and believed that someone should follow their passion, according to his daughter Merri.

It was a philosophy that led him from the athletic fields of Washington State to a lifetime in education that stressed the importance of athletics.

“Student sports were really important to Dad, because it helped him through college,” Merri said.

Rieger, a longtime instrument of Spokane’s successful State B basketball tournament and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, died Wednesday at age 81. He had spent the last couple of years in assisted living care, because of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, Merri said.

The funeral service is at 9:30 a.m. today at Hennessey Valley Chapel, 1315 N. Pines in the Spokane Valley.

Rieger began his teaching and coaching career at his alma mater, West Valley, following graduation from college. When he went into administration, becoming superintendent of Freeman Schools, he began a long stint as a director of the State B basketball tournament in Spokane and as a member on the WIAA Executive Board, where he served a term as president.

He finished his educational career as dean of extension services, with an emphasis on continuing education, for Washington Community College 17.

“He was always a learner and always believed in education and reaching your dream,” Merri said. “That was for adults, too.”

As it did for many of his generation, World War II interrupted Rieger’s education. He left West Valley before graduating and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After his discharge he got his high school degree and enrolled at WSU.

Merri said Rieger walked on to the Cougars’ football team.

He played four years at guard, beginning in 1948. In 1951, when the Cougars beat the Huskies 27-25, coach Forrest Evashevski gave Rieger the game ball for his blocks that sprang Bud Roffler for two touchdowns. The ball is in the possession of his son John.

Rieger also played basketball and was a charter member of the lettermen’s Grey W Club.

It was at WSU where he met his wife of 54 years, Marlys.

“It’s kind of a funny story,” Merri said.

Marlys apparently returned from hunting with her father, and brought a brace of birds to a sorority where Gene was visiting.

“She said, ‘Who knows how to clean these things?’ He said, ‘I do,’ and a romance began,” Merri said.

All of their children – Debra, John, Merri and Tom – graduated from West Valley. Gene was inducted into the high school’s Hall of Fame in 1997.

Merri said the last several years, following the onset of Alzheimer’s, had been difficult for Rieger. His body wasn’t able to bounce back after contracting pneumonia, but he died peacefully, with the family in attendance.

“I think he enjoyed being part of the team (at WSU) and not being the star,” she said. “There is a ‘specialness’ you get when you work really hard for a common goal.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Valley Education Foundation, Union Gospel Mission or Alzheimer’s Foundation.