Obituary of Rivan Krieger

Rivan Krieger Feb. 17, 1930 – Aug. 23, 2014 Woodridge, NY Rivan Krieger died during the early afternoon of Aug. 23 at his son Eric and daughter in-law Janet’s home in Stone Ridge. He was 84 years old and had fought a heroic 4½-year battle with cancer. He never flinched. Born in Woodridge to William and Fay (Weiner) Krieger, Rivan grew up in the village and never strayed too far or too long from his Sullivan County roots. He attended Fallsburg High School and, upon his graduation in 1947, became the first student in the school’s history to receive a full athletic scholarship. He played basketball for Long Island University, which was then ranked among the top basketball teams in the nation. When an injury took Rivan out of the game, he returned to upstate New York to manage his family’s hotel in the Village of Ellenville, the Wayside Inn on Liberty Square. Never one to sit for long on the sidelines, Rivan began playing semi-pro basketball for a local team called the Woodridge Atoms. Eventually, while continuing to manage the family hotel, Rivan returned to college, this time at New Paltz State College, where he completed his Bachelor’s degree and then his Master’s in education. When he finished in 1963, he took a job teaching English and history at Ellenville High School. After teaching for a few years, though, Rivan was ready for a new challenge, and he returned to business management and opened the Agway store in Ellenville. He ran the business until it closed in 1980. Meanwhile, he pursued other and varied interests. His athletic prowess followed him into adulthood, when he proved to be an excellent golfer. He became president of the Shawangunk Golf Club in Ellenville and a men’s club champion. He also took first place in the championship division of the 1968 Catskill Amateur Championship held at Tarry Brae Golf Course in Fallsburg. An interest in acting that he first pursued as a student at New Paltz State led him into Summer Stock Theater. Of the many roles he played over the years, he said his favorite was that of Sidney Redlitch in the romantic comedy “Bell, Book and Candle.” He performed this role at the Mt. Cathalia Playhouse outside of Ellenville. An intellectual, Rivan loved to engage in vigorous political debate. Beyond that, he felt called to serve – and to lead. During the late 1970s and early ’80s, he served as a village trustee and, later, as mayor of the Village of Ellenville. He also served as a chairman of the Town of Wawarsing Republican Party. He was a deep believer and advocate for civil rights and social justice, and during his tenure as mayor, Rivan founded the Ellenville Human Rights Commission. People deserved opportunities, he felt, and they also deserved second chances. In his later years, when he returned to live in Woodridge, he served as a two-term village trustee there, too. He also served the community as a member of the Woodridge Kiwanis and as treasurer of the Woodridge Mews Homeowners Association. He worked until nearly the final days of his life managing his Liberty Square property in the Village of Ellenville from his hospital bed at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. He then traveled to the home of his son Eric and daughter in-law Janet in Stone Ridge to spend the remaining days of his life. Rivan is survived by his sons Dr. John Krieger and his wife Monica of Seattle, Wash.; Eric Krieger and his wife Janet of Stone Ridge; Bret Krieger of Greenfield Park; his daughters Susan Willis and her husband Ruben of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Tina Krieger of Kingston. He is also survived by his partner of 35 years, Dorothy Foley of Syosset, and her children; Natt Chomsky and his wife Ilona and their daughter Rachel of New York City; and Joan and Herb York and their children Sabrina, Brigitte and Candace of Syosset. He is also survived and deeply missed by Sassy, Rivan and Dorothy’s beloved Dalmatian. Rivan was pre-deceased by his wife, Dr. Leah Krieger, and his brothers, Irving and Seymour Krieger. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 11:00AM in Congregation Ohave Shalom Anshei Cemetery ( Woodridge Synagogue Cemetery) Marsh Rd. Glen Wild, NY. Shiva will begin at the home Wendy Levinson (Rivan’s niece) in Monticello following the funeral. Shiva will continue at the home of Eric and Janet Krieger in Stone Ridge from 5:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday, August 28, 2014. Donations may be made in Rivan’s name to Hudson Valley Hospice www.hvhospice.org. , or by calling 845-473-2273 ext.1109. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello and Ellenville. 845-794-7474, or 647-7747. For Directions or to leave the family a condolence note visit our website at www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com for more information.