Leonard Albert Riha
May 22, 1929 - May 26, 2019
Obituary
MADISON – Leonard A. Riha, age 90, of Madison, died peacefully surrounded by loving family at Attic Angel Community on Sunday, May 26, 2019, four days after celebrating his 90th birthday with his son Paul helping plant his final vegetable garden. Len grew up with eight siblings on the family farm in Waucoma, Iowa.
Len met his wife Millie while stationed in Minneapolis in 1951, and their family journey began with strong roots in their Catholic faith. Len was preceded in death by his wife, Millie (Murphy) Riha. He is survived by his children, Paul (Claudia) Riha of Carlsbad, Calif., Peggy (Kelly) Benson of Victoria, Minn., Mary Pat (Kevin) Williams of Westport and Patrick Riha (Kim) of Madison; his grandchildren, Benjamin (Molly) Williams, Katelynn Williams (Cory Hayden), Alicia Williams (Robert Joynt), Brian (Rachel) Benson, Nikki Benson, Ryan Riha and Amy Riha; and his great-grandchildren, Oliver Williams, Adah Williams and Remi Benson.
Len was a career U.S. Air Force veteran who served in the mechanic corps helping keep planes flying at several bases in the U.S. and the Asian Pacific. After retiring from active duty, Len was employed by the Veterans Administration Hospital on their engineering staff. Much of his work there was spent on outpatient projects where he put his mechanical and building skills together to assist aging or physically challenged veterans to help them function in their home environments. After retiring from this second career in 1995, Len carried on with similar projects for an organization called Independent Living and volunteered as a driver for Meals on Wheels.
Len enjoyed hunting, fishing and working his gardens. Most notably, he and his friend John Shield maintained the garden plot at San Damiano Friary for decades, as highlighted in a 2015 Wisconsin State Journal article.
Our family wishes to sincerely thank all the Attic Angel and Agrace caregivers, as well as fellow Attic Angel residents, including his friends Jerry and Vince, who helped make Len’s last years purposeful and happy.
A celebration of Len’s life will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made in Len’s name to the Attic Angel Community.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Avenue
(608) 831-6761
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Memories
MA
Margaret Asturias
Other •
My sympathy to the family. There was a time I was a passenger in Len & Charley Brown's carpool to the VA. He also fixed my water heater once. He & Millie also had beautiful flowers along the road on Tonyawatha Trail (3 blocks from my home on Mesa Road).
SL
Sue Lawrence
Other •
Mary Pat and family. So sorry you lost your father. You had such loving parents. I bet you are passing that love unto your kids and grand-kids. I think of you often. You left an impression on me. You will always be on my mind and in my heart. May God's blessings of strength and hope get you through life challenges. Sue Lawrence
BK
Bill Kennelly
Other •
I worked in the Pharmacy at the VA Hospital in Madison at the same time that Len worked for the Engineering Department. He often responded to work orders that we sent to his department and it was always fun when he showed up to take care of the problem. He was always smiling, laughed easily, and was always eager to solve our problem. Sometimes he would disappear only to return with something he had fabricated in the shop. I always appreciated his work. but I also considered him to be a friend. My condolences to the family