DR. KARL THEODORE RIESE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DR. KARL THEODORE RIESE January, 1930 - November, 2015 Karl passed away with family at his side on November 30, 2015. He is survived by his wife Carmel, his children Michael (Michelle), Nichole, Geralyn (Robert) Riffel, all of Winnipeg and Marc (Susanne) of Switzerland, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, six siblings and Uncle Bernie in Duluth. Karl grew up in Lockport area. He attended St. Paul's High School and College and later the Medical College, receiving his degree in 1954. He married Carmel Regnier in 1956. They moved to Hartford to complete his general surgical residency. In New York he did two years of cancer surgery training at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Back in Winnipeg in 1961, Karl had a private clinic and did surgery at all Winnipeg hospitals. In 1970 he was appointed as fulltime Professor of Surgery and Chief of Surgery at St. Boniface General Hospital. In 1975, he was appointed medical director. He loved his surgical practice and teaching for forty years until retirement in 2001. Karl was the first president of the Canadian Surgical Oncology Society. In 1980 he became an honorary life member of the Canadian Cancer Society for all his related work. He received Professor Emeritus in 2006 from University of Manitoba. Karl enjoyed cottage life and travel with family and friends. He enjoyed volunteer board work in his retirement especially because of his disability. As his life became increasingly restricted, his joy in life continued until his death. A Memorial Service will be held April 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Timothy's Church, at 135 John Forsyth Rd. The family thanks all the staff of the Palliative Care ward, St. Boniface Hospital for caring for Karl. Donations can be made to a scholarship in Karl and Carmel's names at the Arthur Mauro Centre for Peace and Justice at St. Paul's College, University of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 16, 2016