REV. JAMES L. RIEHLE
Nov. 25, 1924 - Oct. 29, 2008
SOUTH BEND - Rev. James L. Riehle, C.S.C., passed away on October
29, 2008 at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, IN., after a brief illness. He
was 83 years old. Fr. Riehle was born in Medford, MA November 25,
1924 to Louis C. Riehle and Matilda K. Buckley (McFee) Riehle. He
received his primary and secondary education at St. Andrew's Grade
School and High School in Saginaw, MI. He studied for a year at Notre
Dame, then at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He served in the
Army from 1950 - 1952, worked for a book company in Detroit for several years and
entered Old College at Notre Dame in 1956. After a year at Sacred Heart Novitiate,
Jordan, MN, Fr. Riehle made his first vows there on August 16, 1958, then returned to
Notre Dame where he graduated in 1960. After four years of theology at Holy Cross
College, Washington, D.C., he was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1964, in
Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. From 1964-1965, Fr. Riehle spent a year as
Chaplain for Dillion Hall at the University of Notre Dame. He then assisted at Sacred
Heart Parish, New Orleans from 1965 to 1966. In 1966, Fr. Riehle returned to Notre
Dame as the Assistant Dean of Students and Rector of Sorin Hall. He assumed the
Dean of Students post in 1967 and served in that capacity until 1973. Starting in
1973, Fr. Riehle served as Chaplain for the Athletic Department at the University of
Notre Dame. For 12 years, from 1973 to 1985, Riehle served as Rector of Pangborn
Hall. Fr. Reihle also served as Monogram Club Executive Director from 1978 through
2002, and then continued to work with the club in an emeritus role. Fr. Riehle moved
to Holy Cross House on November 20, 2003. Fr. Riehle was preceded in death by his
parents Matilda and Louis Riehle and his brother Louis Albert Riehle. He is survived by
a sister, Joan Elise Riehle Ruse (Ronald) of Frankfort, Illinois and a step-brother, Paul
Buckley of California. He also is survived by several nieces and nephews and great
nieces and nephews. Viewing will be held for Fr. Riehle in the Chapel of Moreau
Seminary, University of Notre Dame, on Sunday, November 2nd, from 3:30 to 9:00
p.m. with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the
Basilica of The Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Indiana on Monday, November 3rd, 3:30
p.m. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions to
support the mission and ministries of the Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, may
be made to: Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, Office of Development, P.O. Box
765, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
Published in the South Bend Tribune on 10/31/2008