Richard Alvin Riel

Richard Alvin Riel, age 92, of Walker, MN passed away March 30th, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. He was born September 8th, 1933, to George and Viola (Riendeau) Riel.

Richard was born in Lambert Township, MN and attended school in Oklee where he graduated. He joined the United States Air Force in December of 1952. He went to basic training where he was trained in electronics. He was honorably discharged in November 1953 and went to work for Wilcox in Red Lake Falls, MN as an electronics technician. It was there that he met his future wife, Beverly Burstad. From this union, four children were born: Denise, Correen, Terrance, and Lance. He later moved to East Grand Forks, MN, working for Goodman's in Grand Forks, ND as an electronics technician. He was later approached by General Electric to install and maintain their non-tactical radio system on Grand Forks Air Force Base, which he did.

Richard later moved to Van Nuys, CA and obtained his degree in Communications. He went to work for Atomic International in Conoga Park, CA as a nuclear field research and development technician. He was lead technician for the launch of the first nuclear reactor, Snap10A, from the Vandenberg Air Force (Space Force) Base launch pad. Upon his return to MN he moved to Bemidji where he worked for Naylor's and then Bemidji School District.

Richard loved tinkering with electronics, computers, any and all kinds of gadgets. He also enjoyed yardwork, camping, watching wildlife with his game cam, cooking and grilling, and working with stained glass.

Richard's favorite motto was "The difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little longer."

He is preceded in death by his parents and other relatives. He is survived by his wife, Ramona; his children: Denise (Neil) Dame, Correen (Daniel) Radi, Terrance (Tani) Riel, and Lance (Kari) Riel; his sister, Yvonne Keefe; his grandchildren: Desiree (Matthew) Murphy, Tyler (Chelsea) Radi, Derek (Sophie) Dame, Bryce (Jordan) Dame, Blake (Kelli) Dame, Megan (Thomas Askegaard) Riel, Taylor (Ramsey) Shaffer, Casey Riel, Leah Riel; 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; extended family: Marie "Tooly" (Dan) Hickman, Lois (Darrell) Hay, Erica (Russ) Salmon, Steve (Melissa) Sorenson; many friends and loved ones. 

A celebration of Richard's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11th, 2026 with visitation one hour prior to the service, all held at the Northern Peace Funeral Home in Walker, MN. Pastor Mark Widman will officiate. Military honors will be accorded by the Spenser-Ross Post #134 Honor Guard. Richard will be laid to rest in the Greenwood Cemetery at Fisher, MN at a later date.

Richard's care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

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