In Memory

Tom Riesterer



 
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07/10/12 03:45 AM #1    

Dewey (Julius) Riesterer

Tom, my brother,  Sept. 11, 1947-Aug. 14, 1982, left this life due to complications arising from longterm,severe Diabetes Melitus.

He had studied at Selkirk College, Castlegar,then U.B.C where he obtained his B.A. in English and his M.A.. He edited the Selkirk College student newspaper during his second year there and, in 1969, he and I were among the major organizers of the large student protests against nuclear testing on Amchitka Island.

He, subsequently applied to and was accepted for Phd. studies at Queens University, University of Toronto, McGill University and The University of New Brunswick, where he accepted a "Graduate Assistantship" and subsequently worked in the university's art gallery.

He was just completing his doctorate when he was taken by the final bout with his illness and died in St. John's N.B, in the arms of our late parents.

He was among the most genuine intellectuals and brilliant scholars I have ever known and as one of his UBC prof's wrote to my parents after I published his obituary in the "Vancouver Sun", ...a hell of a nice guy......

I miss him still and a day  will never pass, "this side of Paradise", when I do not grieve for his loss to a world that so badly needs fine minds and honourable souls. 

I will always remember our good times at Selkirk and as "Lookoutmen" for the BC Forest Service in the same era.

 

...time allows

In all his tuneful turning so few and such morning songs

Before the children green and golden

Follow him out of grace, ...

 

Dylan Thomas- "Fern Hill".

 


07/10/12 08:34 AM #2    

Paul Bickert

Tom was a favourite person of mine in school. He was warm and elevated those around him. I believe the world was poorer after his departure and Heaven enriched. I never knew Tom as a young man, just in my youth and teens. I was saddened to hear of his passing, but celebrate his being a friend when I associated with him at St. Joseph's School. The Riesterers have a shining star in their family and that is Tom. 

Shine on gloriously, Tom

Paul Bickert


07/28/12 03:40 PM #3    

Cam Molloy

I count Tom among one of my best friends from my time in Nelson. Our first year at Selkirk College we commuted back and forth in an old 51 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe until we piled up in a white out on our way to school. Like his brother Dewey said, he was brilliant , sharp as a razor and not someone you wanted to get into a debate with unless you were really at the top of your game. One of the finest minds I ever have had the opportunity to be around. I heard of Toms passing while I was on the road in Alberta. It came as quite a shock. He was the first one of my friends to pass from an illness. There had been a few in car accidents but none from an illness. Tom lifted up everyone around him, you learned to listen when he spoke because you knew he was completely in command of his subject matter. We were in Sea Cadets together. He was a great and true friend and one of those rare individuals you only come across once or twice in a lifetime. We called him the Commander, rest in peace Tom.


09/25/12 10:23 PM #4    

Pam Stegeman (De Kock)

Expressions of sadness and shock of Tom's passing, a life lost so young.  My family and I were in Richmond when we picked up a copy of The Vancouver Sun.  When I turned to the Obituary column in the newspaper, I was shocked to read about Tom's death.  I didnot know that he had a serious health issue prior to that.

My sympathies to the family.  Rest in Peace, Tom.

Prayers,

Pam '64.


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