Mike Riedel died at the age of 75 at his home in Picabo on Oct. 6, 2012, after a valiant struggle with cancer. A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Double R Ranch gazebo in Picabo. Close friends are invited to come share stories and participate in a gazebo pot-luck. The gazebo parties have always been a favorite of Mike’s, and this is the party he wanted.
Mike was born in San Francisco on June 2, 1937, the first son of A.C. and Bonnie Riedel. He grew up in West Los Angeles, attended Harvard School, and graduated from USC with a degree in architecture. He married Marilyn Clark and together they had five children. They later divorced. In 1978, he married Vicki Crosby Post, who had two young children, Nancy and Christopher. There’s a good story about Vicki’s testing him on their first date and handing 1-year old Christopher to him for a diaper change when he arrived at the front door. He didn’t flinch!
Mike, Vicki, Nancy and Christopher moved to Ketchum in 1981, and Ralph, Mike’s youngest son, joined them in 1983. Mike had worked in advertising in Los Angeles and decided Sun Valley Magazine and Sun Valley Directory would be his new endeavors. After his retirement from Sun Valley Magazine in 1997, Mike and Vicki reconstructed an old farmhouse in Picabo to make a home closer to the fishing and hunting that he so loved. At the time of his death, Mike was serving as the stream keeper for the Double R Fishing Club and was passionately raising funds for continued conservation of his beloved Silver Creek.
His many talents included master fly fisherman, fishing guide, fly tier, rod maker, gunsmith, furniture builder, skeet shooter, gun collector, conservation fundraiser, chef, old surfer, and cat and Labrador retriever dad. He also filled the role of St. Nicholas at St. Thomas Church for some 20 years.
Mike is survived by his wife, Vicki, and his children, Bill (Sandy), Theresa, Clark, Rochelle and Ralph (Marina) Riedel, and Nancy (Michael) Malko and Christopher Post. There are six grandchildren, Elizabeth, JR, Tanner, Will, Alexa and Dane. His brother, Peter Riedel, lives in Southern California.
The Riedel family is grateful to St. Luke’s Wood River, Mountain States Tumor Institute, Hospice of the Wood River Valley and Home Health, and especially to the staff of the Infusion Center, Wound Center and ER of our local hospital. Mike received wonderful and loving care by the many people of our health community.
Mike’s wishes, if desired, are that donations be made to the Idaho Community Foundation, in the name of Mike Riedel Memorial Fund, and sent to Box 688, Picabo, ID 83348.
