1927
Arthur
2008
Arthur Riordan
November 9, 1927 — November 9, 2008
Arthur Byrnes Riordan, 81, of Kansas City, slipped away peacefully and unexpectedly while reading the Wall Street Journal in his favorite chair Sunday evening, November 9th. He had been in excellent health. Cause of death is thought to be the state of the economy and the recent election.
Art was born May 19th, 1927, in Flagstaff, Arizona, to Arthur Metz Riordan and Regina Byrnes Riordan. When he was four months old, his father died in a polio epidemic, and his mother brought Arthur and his sister Mary back to her family home in St. Marys, Kansas, where he was raised. Just before his eighteenth birthday, he joined the Navy. After basic training he was sent to Officers' Training School at Stanford University. When World War II ended, Art returned to the Midwest and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Art started his manufacturing business, Missouri Valley Plastics, in 1955. In 1963 he became president of Progressive Manufacturing Company in Kansas City, Kansas, until moving to Flagstaff in 1970 to take the helm of the Riordan family business, Northern Arizona Gas Service Company. He retired from the company in 1986 to return to Kansas City where he devoted himself to his favorite pastimes, reading and trains.
Art's interest in trains began at a very early age when he used to watch them from his window as a child. He became a skilled builder of HO-scale models. His passion took him around the world watching and photographing trains. His vast historical knowledge was highly regarded by enthusiasts across the country, often consulted by editors for factual clarification regarding printed material on railroads. Art kept in close touch with his fellow railroad fans around the country, and was a member of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Historical Societies. He leaves behind many good friends who will miss him greatly.
Art was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed celebrating birthdays and holidays with his daughters, grandchildren and his former wife Joanne Alton Riordan. He was a wise, ethical, incredibly generous and non-judgmental man, and a true gentleman. He was known for his great intellect and fairness. His wide-ranging knowledge of world events made him a valued member of family Trivial Pursuit teams. His finely tuned sense of black humor might have been one of his most admired characteristics, perhaps missed most by his daughters, Arden Riordan and Shannon Riordan, both of Kansas City. Art is also survived by his sister Mary Riordan of Scottsdale, Arizona; his five grandchildren: Alexander Reusch, Emery Reusch, Nicholas Reusch, Michael Crayton and Laura Crayton-- fine young adults of whom he was very proud; a cousin Brian Chambers of Flagstaff, Arizona; and an extended family in Arizona, California and Ireland. Lastly, his beloved feline buddy Bronko Nagurski will miss him tremendously.
There will be a memorial service at 4:30 p.m. followed by a visitation on Saturday, November 15th, at D. W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel at 8201 Metcalf Ave. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to The Pet Connection, 5918 Broadmoor, Mission, KS, 66202, would honor his memory.
Art was born May 19th, 1927, in Flagstaff, Arizona, to Arthur Metz Riordan and Regina Byrnes Riordan. When he was four months old, his father died in a polio epidemic, and his mother brought Arthur and his sister Mary back to her family home in St. Marys, Kansas, where he was raised. Just before his eighteenth birthday, he joined the Navy. After basic training he was sent to Officers' Training School at Stanford University. When World War II ended, Art returned to the Midwest and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Business Administration. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Art started his manufacturing business, Missouri Valley Plastics, in 1955. In 1963 he became president of Progressive Manufacturing Company in Kansas City, Kansas, until moving to Flagstaff in 1970 to take the helm of the Riordan family business, Northern Arizona Gas Service Company. He retired from the company in 1986 to return to Kansas City where he devoted himself to his favorite pastimes, reading and trains.
Art's interest in trains began at a very early age when he used to watch them from his window as a child. He became a skilled builder of HO-scale models. His passion took him around the world watching and photographing trains. His vast historical knowledge was highly regarded by enthusiasts across the country, often consulted by editors for factual clarification regarding printed material on railroads. Art kept in close touch with his fellow railroad fans around the country, and was a member of the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific Historical Societies. He leaves behind many good friends who will miss him greatly.
Art was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed celebrating birthdays and holidays with his daughters, grandchildren and his former wife Joanne Alton Riordan. He was a wise, ethical, incredibly generous and non-judgmental man, and a true gentleman. He was known for his great intellect and fairness. His wide-ranging knowledge of world events made him a valued member of family Trivial Pursuit teams. His finely tuned sense of black humor might have been one of his most admired characteristics, perhaps missed most by his daughters, Arden Riordan and Shannon Riordan, both of Kansas City. Art is also survived by his sister Mary Riordan of Scottsdale, Arizona; his five grandchildren: Alexander Reusch, Emery Reusch, Nicholas Reusch, Michael Crayton and Laura Crayton-- fine young adults of whom he was very proud; a cousin Brian Chambers of Flagstaff, Arizona; and an extended family in Arizona, California and Ireland. Lastly, his beloved feline buddy Bronko Nagurski will miss him tremendously.
There will be a memorial service at 4:30 p.m. followed by a visitation on Saturday, November 15th, at D. W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel at 8201 Metcalf Ave. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to The Pet Connection, 5918 Broadmoor, Mission, KS, 66202, would honor his memory.
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