Roger F. Riefler, 81, professor emeritus, died May 1 at his Lincoln home with his wife Carol at his side.
Riefler was born Sept. 10, 1940 in Oceanside, New York. He served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 with the Defense Department during the Vietnam War. Riefler taught at the University of Pittsburgh until he joined the University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty in 1973. He was named a professor of economics in 1983, a title held until his retirement in 2005. During his tenure, Riefler was the chair of the Department of Economics for nine years.
He married Carol Kelsey on Sept. 1, 1962 in Mineola, New York. In retirement, the couple enjoyed traveling and Riefler’s teaching abroad.
In his spare time, Riefler built a model railroad in his basement and enjoyed showing it to visitors.
Riefler was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Madeline Rielfer (Freeport, New York). He is survived by his wife of more than 59 years, Carol; brother, John (Etta) Riefler of Charlotte, North Carolina; niece, Laura (John) Hill; nephew Jeff (Emily) Riefler; sister-in-law, Jackie (Bill) Spraul; nieces and nephews, Connie Quinlan, Jennifer Chewning, Brian Racanelli, Heidi Fredericks and William Spraul III; and numerous great nieces and great nephews.
Services are 11 a.m. June 6 at John XXIII Chapel, 3700 Sheridan Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to scholarships in Riefler’s memory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Bowdoin College. Condolences can be left online on the funeral home website.
