Harold Elmer Riel

Harold E. “Whitey” Riel was born on August 31, 1931 in Mineral Wells, West Virginia. He made the most of all 91 years of his life. He passed away with family by his side on August 14, 2023 in Red Bluff, California.

Harold proudly served his country as a Navy Corpsman during the Korean War. He was honored with several military awards including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Combat “V” for heroism in the line of duty. While in the service he saved numerous lives, and built life-long friendships with his fellow servicemen. To his family and friends Harold was known as “Whitey”, a name he acquired during his enlistment in the Navy.

Harold met the love of his life, Gail Crain, on a blind date in the early 1950’s. They were married in June of 1955 and lived happily ever after until Harold’s passing. Throughout the decades that they were together, Harold affectionately referred to Gail as his “bride”. Their marriage of 68 years was filled with love, admiration, compassion and respect, and was a relationship that most could only dream of having. Harold and Gail were blessed with three children.

Harold was a retired bricklayer by trade, building beautiful churches, multi-story college classrooms and dorms, businesses, walls, walkways, decorative fireplace fronts and hearths in southern California. Following Harold’s retirement from his masonry contracting business, he and Gail moved to the country in Los Molinos, California in 1992 and became walnut farmers. When he wasn’t busy with his family and the orchard he was an avid trout and salmon fisherman.

Harold was known for helping and mentoring others, his kindness, generosity, and his volunteerism. For many years Harold grew a large garden and took great pleasure in providing fresh fruit and vegetables to his family and neighbors. Papa Whitey, as he was known by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, also enjoyed using his woodworking skills to build toys, doll furniture, cradles, rocking horses, wheel barrows, pie safes, train whistles and many other items for family members and close friends. He enjoyed and had a knack for repairing almost anything. He also spent many hours restoring bicycles for children in the area.

Harold is survived by his wife, Gail; daughter N. Lynn Weiner and husband Peter, daughter Rebecca Calkins and husband Dennis, and son John Riel and wife Laura; grandchildren Becky and husband Nick, Matt and wife Becca, Andrew, Jon and wife Erica, Shelby and husband Leo, Zack and wife Misty; great-grandchildren Kolby, Kaden, Kinley, Allison, Emily, Sikes, Reagan, Seth, and Gavin, all of whom he adored. Harold was our hero and he will be greatly missed by us all.

At Harold’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Harold’s favorite charities: the Wounded Warrior Project, the USO, and the Honor Flight Bay Area Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapeloftheflowers.net for the Riel family.