Arthur "Art" Leonard Riffel, born November 5, 1920, passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday March 10, 2010. He was born on a farm in Fort Morgan Colo., to Russian Immigrant parents; Henry and Mary (Amen)Riffel. He was the youngest of four children; two brothers, and two sisters, who preceded him in death.
Art learned from his immigrant parents, who arrived in Colorado from Morganthal, Russia in the early 1900's, the meaning of hard work and dedication. Art left the farm to join the Naval Air Force in WWII and proudly served in the Coast Guard in the South Pacific.
Upon returning to Colorado, he moved to Littleton Colo. where he met his first wife, Annabelle. Together they raised two children, Stephen and Cheryl. Art worked as a successful automobile salesman in Englewood Co. until 1964 when he purchased his own dealership in Loveland Co. The Art Riffel Dodge at 12th. and Lincoln was the place to buy a car from 1964-1987. He was legendary in town for his good deeds, hard work and fair dealings for over 20 years, especially during the time of the Big Thompson flood, when it was not unusual for Art to offer assistance to strangers who were stranded without transportation during the ordeal.
Art was a community leader, supporting such events as the Loveland Rodeo and was a member of the Loveland Elks Club. During this time Art enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Red Feather Lakes, teaching his grandson how to fish. He returned to his childhood and ran a small farm south of Loveland near Johnson's Corner.
In his later years he lived for a brief time in Kalispell Montana then returned to his native Colorado, where he met his wife of the past 15 years, Irene. Together they lived in Fort Collins CO with Art taking odd handy man jobs. In all his experiences he probably most greatly enjoyed being a crossing guard for the nearby neighborhood children. He loved the joy and energy of youth and new beginnings, which is why Spring was his favorite time of the year. Seeing his garden come to life and growing was his last passion.
Art is survived by his wife, Irene, daughter Cheri Barber-Walker, of Centennial; Stepson Mike Cox of Washington; daughter-in-law Melody; grandson Ian and Lennie; great grand-children, Kali and Drew (the apple of his eye). He was proceeded in death by son, Steve.
Art learned from his immigrant parents, who arrived in Colorado from Morganthal, Russia in the early 1900's, the meaning of hard work and dedication. Art left the farm to join the Naval Air Force in WWII and proudly served in the Coast Guard in the South Pacific.
Upon returning to Colorado, he moved to Littleton Colo. where he met his first wife, Annabelle. Together they raised two children, Stephen and Cheryl. Art worked as a successful automobile salesman in Englewood Co. until 1964 when he purchased his own dealership in Loveland Co. The Art Riffel Dodge at 12th. and Lincoln was the place to buy a car from 1964-1987. He was legendary in town for his good deeds, hard work and fair dealings for over 20 years, especially during the time of the Big Thompson flood, when it was not unusual for Art to offer assistance to strangers who were stranded without transportation during the ordeal.
Art was a community leader, supporting such events as the Loveland Rodeo and was a member of the Loveland Elks Club. During this time Art enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Red Feather Lakes, teaching his grandson how to fish. He returned to his childhood and ran a small farm south of Loveland near Johnson's Corner.
In his later years he lived for a brief time in Kalispell Montana then returned to his native Colorado, where he met his wife of the past 15 years, Irene. Together they lived in Fort Collins CO with Art taking odd handy man jobs. In all his experiences he probably most greatly enjoyed being a crossing guard for the nearby neighborhood children. He loved the joy and energy of youth and new beginnings, which is why Spring was his favorite time of the year. Seeing his garden come to life and growing was his last passion.
Art is survived by his wife, Irene, daughter Cheri Barber-Walker, of Centennial; Stepson Mike Cox of Washington; daughter-in-law Melody; grandson Ian and Lennie; great grand-children, Kali and Drew (the apple of his eye). He was proceeded in death by son, Steve.
Arthur "Art" Leonard Riffel, born November 5, 1920, passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday March 10, 2010. He was born on a farm in Fort Morgan Colo., to Russian Immigrant parents; Henry and Mary (Amen)Riffel. He was the youngest of four children; two brothers, and two sisters, who preceded him in death.
Art learned from his immigrant parents, who arrived in Colorado from Morganthal, Russia in the early 1900's, the meaning of hard work and dedication. Art left the farm to join the Naval Air Force in WWII and proudly served in the Coast Guard in the South Pacific.
Upon returning to Colorado, he moved to Littleton Colo. where he met his first wife, Annabelle. Together they raised two children, Stephen and Cheryl. Art worked as a successful automobile salesman in Englewood Co. until 1964 when he purchased his own dealership in Loveland Co. The Art Riffel Dodge at 12th. and Lincoln was the place to buy a car from 1964-1987. He was legendary in town for his good deeds, hard work and fair dealings for over 20 years, especially during the time of the Big Thompson flood, when it was not unusual for Art to offer assistance to strangers who were stranded without transportation during the ordeal.
Art was a community leader, supporting such events as the Loveland Rodeo and was a member of the Loveland Elks Club. During this time Art enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Red Feather Lakes, teaching his grandson how to fish. He returned to his childhood and ran a small farm south of Loveland near Johnson's Corner.
In his later years he lived for a brief time in Kalispell Montana then returned to his native Colorado, where he met his wife of the past 15 years, Irene. Together they lived in Fort Collins CO with Art taking odd handy man jobs. In all his experiences he probably most greatly enjoyed being a crossing guard for the nearby neighborhood children. He loved the joy and energy of youth and new beginnings, which is why Spring was his favorite time of the year. Seeing his garden come to life and growing was his last passion.
Art is survived by his wife, Irene, daughter Cheri Barber-Walker, of Centennial; Stepson Mike Cox of Washington; daughter-in-law Melody; grandson Ian and Lennie; great grand-children, Kali and Drew (the apple of his eye). He was proceeded in death by son, Steve.
Art learned from his immigrant parents, who arrived in Colorado from Morganthal, Russia in the early 1900's, the meaning of hard work and dedication. Art left the farm to join the Naval Air Force in WWII and proudly served in the Coast Guard in the South Pacific.
Upon returning to Colorado, he moved to Littleton Colo. where he met his first wife, Annabelle. Together they raised two children, Stephen and Cheryl. Art worked as a successful automobile salesman in Englewood Co. until 1964 when he purchased his own dealership in Loveland Co. The Art Riffel Dodge at 12th. and Lincoln was the place to buy a car from 1964-1987. He was legendary in town for his good deeds, hard work and fair dealings for over 20 years, especially during the time of the Big Thompson flood, when it was not unusual for Art to offer assistance to strangers who were stranded without transportation during the ordeal.
Art was a community leader, supporting such events as the Loveland Rodeo and was a member of the Loveland Elks Club. During this time Art enjoyed spending time at his cabin in Red Feather Lakes, teaching his grandson how to fish. He returned to his childhood and ran a small farm south of Loveland near Johnson's Corner.
In his later years he lived for a brief time in Kalispell Montana then returned to his native Colorado, where he met his wife of the past 15 years, Irene. Together they lived in Fort Collins CO with Art taking odd handy man jobs. In all his experiences he probably most greatly enjoyed being a crossing guard for the nearby neighborhood children. He loved the joy and energy of youth and new beginnings, which is why Spring was his favorite time of the year. Seeing his garden come to life and growing was his last passion.
Art is survived by his wife, Irene, daughter Cheri Barber-Walker, of Centennial; Stepson Mike Cox of Washington; daughter-in-law Melody; grandson Ian and Lennie; great grand-children, Kali and Drew (the apple of his eye). He was proceeded in death by son, Steve.
Inscription
SM3
US Coast Guard
World War II
Gravesite Details
Interred; Mar 29, 2018
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