John Horst Riant

John H. Riant died January 29th aged seventy years. He was born Horst Deiter Steiner in Munich, Germany in 1940. After the war, he lived with his mother and adoptive father in Burkhardt, Wisconsin. The family moved to Florida where he attended high school in St. Petersburg and joined the United States Navy following graduation. A tour on the USS Yorktown cemented a life-long love of California and aviation. His adventures continued when he moved West permanently in 1965. A long time resident of Chino and Chino Hills, he was a faithful member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors. He retired in 2006, but of course couldn’t sit still. Aviation beckoned anew and he found his outlet as a volunteer restoring antique aircraft at the Planes of Fame museum. His contributions were recognized with a Gold Service Award. He is survived by his wife of thirty-nine years Barbara, five Children Kevin, Bridget, Amy, Jay & Breeana, six grandchildren with two more expected soon, Mother Charlotte, and Brother Henry. He is terribly missed and will never be forgotten. Contributions may be made in Memory of John Riant to The Planes of Fame Chino Air Museum 7000 Merrill Ave. #17 Chino, CA 91710. A Memorial Service will be held, 2:00p.m., Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Funeraria Del Angel Pierce Brothers Griffith. Funerariadelangelchino.com