Obituary
Arnold Ries was born in Cincinnati, OH on May 29, 1936 to Otto and Flora (St. Arnauld) Ries. Arnold was a military veteran, dedicated civil servant in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and a loving husband, father, uncle, and “Bumpa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arnold passed away peacefully on January 27, 2024, only 9 months after the passing of his beloved wife of 59 years, Claire (Wesson) Ries.
He was predeceased by his sister Lois and his daughter Allison (Couch) and her husband Robert Evans. He was a loving father to his children April (Couch) Artim, Richard Couch and his wife Jane, Angela (Ries) Lavallee, Alicia (Ries) and her husband Chris Briggi, Alayna (Ries) Rivas, A.J. Ries; sixteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Arnold graduated in 1954 from St. John’s Catholic High School in Concord, NH and joined the US Air Force that same year. He served as an air Operations Specialist, and continued his military career in the Air Force Reserves for 27 years. He also began his career in the FAA as an air traffic controller, starting with his training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, after his training, he took his entire family on a six-week summer road trip all through the western states, which is still talked about today! He retired from his air traffic career at the Concord NH Airport in 1987.
Arnold enjoyed his retired life by splitting his time on Squam Lake and Punta Gorda with his wife Claire. He enjoyed the many large family gatherings, especially the Ries’ 4th of July Bash at their home in Merrimack, NH. He would spend days on his riding lawn mower, preparing the field for the annual family softball games at Ries’ Lil’ Fenway! Arnold loved going to auctions, hunting for the next train or accessory in his extensive Lionel model train collection and listening to his country favorite, Roger Miller. He shared this love and telling of old military stories with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in New Hampshire. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Arnold Ries, to support Alzheimer’s and dementia research and patient care. Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.
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