Robert Edward Ries

Bob Ries, age 78, passed away on Friday, December 21st. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on April 5,1940, the middle child of five children, Bob Ries, certainly walked to his own beat from the time he was born to the present. Working since the age of eleven, one of his proudest moments was joining the Army. He fondly told everyone his first suit of clothes was an Army uniform and related many times how that experience changed his life. Bob loved to tell stories and jokes -period. He loved bringing a smile to people and liked to call himself “the twinkle maker” for putting a twinkle in the eye of complete strangers.

Bob held degrees in Business and Economics from Manchester University in Northern Indiana and at one time taught economics. He was in international sales for Magnavox for many years and traveled giving sales seminars.

In his lifetime, he won over one hundred trophies for golf, bowling, sales accomplishments and public speaking. He was proud of being inducted into the Toastmasters Hall of Fame and was at one time elected president of two Toastmasters Clubs simultaneously. After winning all the awards possible for public speaking, his Toastmaster teammates created an award especially for him in the shape of a plus sign to reflect his unfailing positive attitude. Anyone who knew him will testify to how appropriate this award was for him.

He was the top salesman for every company he worked for and created the success of the family business “The French Confection” which grew to be one of the most popular wedding, groom’s and specialty cake businesses in Nashville.

Bob loved politics and loved to discuss the finer points of the Constitution with anyone and everyone. He was fearless and never met a stranger. He proudly won the Republican nomination for US Congress in 2014 and then became the Davidson County Republican Party Chairman. Bob was the perfect advocate for the Republican Party and tried to convey the importance of the Constitution to the founding of our Country to everyone. He was a true Patriot with a warmth and presence that filled a room.

Bob attended St. Edward Catholic Church, joined the Knights of Columbus and became a 4th degree Knight. He loved serving his church, singing country music, playing golf and poker earning the moniker “Brentwood Slim” from his buddies. He was a proud member of the VFW and the American Legion.

He moved to Nashville, Tennessee from Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1978 for his daughter’s music career.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Dianne, of 55 years and only daughter, Stacy; her husband, Charles “Duff” Snyder; two brothers and two sisters residing in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Visitation will be at St. Edward Catholic Church, 188 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37211 on Wednesday, December 26th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm with Rosary at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, December 27th at 10:00 am with a one hour visitation prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Ft. Nashborough Chapter DAR c/o Regions Bank, 181 Belle Forest, Nashville, TN 37221 and the Knights of Columbus Council 9586. All donations will be directed toward the needs of veterans.