Obituary for John G. Riehm MD
John Grigsby Riehm, M.D., passed away peacefully on December 13, 2020 with his family by his side. John was born April 8, 1948 to Charles and Katherine Grigsby Riehm in Louisville, the fourth of five children.
John attended Holy Spirit Catholic School and Saint Xavier High School, Class of 1966. He continued his life-long quest for education by attending J.B. Speed School of Engineering, where he earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, and then a Master’s in Math. Unwilling to be outdone by his younger brother, John attended medical school at the University of Louisville, completed his residency at the University of Cincinnati, and became an allergist.
A long-time member of Kentuckiana Allergy, John saw thousands of patients in his 37 years of practice. Dr. Riehm was known for his charming bedside manner, patient demeanor, and willingness to always listen. Recently, John became a member of the Family Allergy & Asthma team, where he was welcomed with open arms by patients, staff, nurses, and doctors alike.
An accomplished athlete, John was on the golf teams at both St. X and UofL and was a ping-pong champion. He continued to excel at golf throughout his life. At one-time a scratch golfer, John never stopped enjoying his weekly Monday game. He appreciated the athleticism of others and was always quick to praise and encourage fellow athletes, even if they were on the opposing team. Ever the sportsman, John was also well-known for teaching young men the proper way to shake hands.
John was an eternal optimist with a distinctive boisterous laugh; every movie he saw should win an Oscar, every meal was the most delicious he had ever eaten, and every pun was the funniest he had ever heard. He was certain he had the most wonderful wife, the most accomplished children, and the cutest grandchildren (in fairness, his family believes this too).
John is survived by his wife, Rose Serapiglia Riehm, whom he met at UofL in the math department. They had a fierce competition over who was the better mathematician throughout all 47 years of their marriage. While he was the “meanest dad in the world” to his children, Julie Riehm McGuffey and her husband Keith, and Jonathan Riehm and his wife Laura, he was a generous and loving Papa to his three grandchildren: Kylie & Connor McGuffey, and Joan Riehm. John is also survived by his siblings, Charles E. Riehm, Jr. and Louisa “Weda” Riehm, and his beloved in-laws. He was the “fun uncle” to his many nieces and nephews, of whom he was incredibly proud. John was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Joan Riehm and Dennis Riehm, M.D.
John was a man of deep faith and a dedicated member of his church. Memorial donations in John’s memory are suggested to Brightside, 21st Century Parks, or the charity of the sender’s choice. Although all services will be private, the family plans to hold a celebration of life sometime next year where they will be certain to have a performance in his honor of his go-to karaoke song, “Secret Agent Man.”
John attended Holy Spirit Catholic School and Saint Xavier High School, Class of 1966. He continued his life-long quest for education by attending J.B. Speed School of Engineering, where he earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, and then a Master’s in Math. Unwilling to be outdone by his younger brother, John attended medical school at the University of Louisville, completed his residency at the University of Cincinnati, and became an allergist.
A long-time member of Kentuckiana Allergy, John saw thousands of patients in his 37 years of practice. Dr. Riehm was known for his charming bedside manner, patient demeanor, and willingness to always listen. Recently, John became a member of the Family Allergy & Asthma team, where he was welcomed with open arms by patients, staff, nurses, and doctors alike.
An accomplished athlete, John was on the golf teams at both St. X and UofL and was a ping-pong champion. He continued to excel at golf throughout his life. At one-time a scratch golfer, John never stopped enjoying his weekly Monday game. He appreciated the athleticism of others and was always quick to praise and encourage fellow athletes, even if they were on the opposing team. Ever the sportsman, John was also well-known for teaching young men the proper way to shake hands.
John was an eternal optimist with a distinctive boisterous laugh; every movie he saw should win an Oscar, every meal was the most delicious he had ever eaten, and every pun was the funniest he had ever heard. He was certain he had the most wonderful wife, the most accomplished children, and the cutest grandchildren (in fairness, his family believes this too).
John is survived by his wife, Rose Serapiglia Riehm, whom he met at UofL in the math department. They had a fierce competition over who was the better mathematician throughout all 47 years of their marriage. While he was the “meanest dad in the world” to his children, Julie Riehm McGuffey and her husband Keith, and Jonathan Riehm and his wife Laura, he was a generous and loving Papa to his three grandchildren: Kylie & Connor McGuffey, and Joan Riehm. John is also survived by his siblings, Charles E. Riehm, Jr. and Louisa “Weda” Riehm, and his beloved in-laws. He was the “fun uncle” to his many nieces and nephews, of whom he was incredibly proud. John was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Joan Riehm and Dennis Riehm, M.D.
John was a man of deep faith and a dedicated member of his church. Memorial donations in John’s memory are suggested to Brightside, 21st Century Parks, or the charity of the sender’s choice. Although all services will be private, the family plans to hold a celebration of life sometime next year where they will be certain to have a performance in his honor of his go-to karaoke song, “Secret Agent Man.”