Robert Leroy Riley

Robert L. Riley, 59, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 1, 2025. Although his passing was quiet and his time too short, Robert’s life was loud and robust—a life lived big and rich.

Robert was born on February 16, 1966, in Edmond, Oklahoma to Don and Patti Riley. He graduated from Putnam City North High School in 1984 and then attended Oklahoma State University. He loved Stillwater and the Cowboys (and even had a Pistol Pete tattoo to prove it). In 1985, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy. He was deeply honored to serve his country and continued to be a proud supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces all his life. One of his proudest moments was leading the development project of the Center for the Families of the Fallen and children’s playground at Dover Air Force Base.

In 1986, while on leave before being deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Robert met the love of his life, Susan McGinty. Everyone would agree that Robert held a truly unique and special charisma. To meet him was to be his friend. Susan didn’t stand a chance and was quite literally swept off her feet. Robert and Susan were married on October 11, 1986. They enjoyed 38 years of marriage and had two children, Nicole and Ian.

Robert had a passion for traveling, making friendships, and experiencing new adventures. In his career, Robert traveled all over the world, including NYC, England, Scotland, and Australia. His favorite vacation was taking his family to the 2016 Army Navy football game in Baltimore, Maryland. He loved sports, especially football, golf, and water surfing and skiing. And he loved the lake. He was most at home on the golf course or captaining his lake boat. He often bragged about his kids’ lake skills and would even quiz them on boating rules in front of strangers. He was a master instigator of boat tubing wars and took, some might say, too much pleasure in throwing kids off the tubes.

Robert was a fierce friend. When a friend needed help, he wanted to be the first call. And most of all, Robert was fun. Whether it was through one of his hilarious pranks, blaring music in the kitchen while cooking dinner, or a scrappy game of cornhole, Robert knew how to make you smile and laugh.

Robert is preceded in death by his father, Don Riley; mother, Patti Riley; grandchildren, James Nash and Teresa Riley. He is survived by his wife, Susan Riley; two children, Nicole Nash and Ian Riley; six grandchildren, Emma, Margaret, Allison, Simon, Joseph, and Claire; his sister, Michelle Towles; and his brother, Brent Riley.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Friends of the Fallen (https://www.friendsofthefallen.org/donate). Donations may be made via check or money order to Friends of the Fallen, PO Box 2081, Dover AFB, DE 19902. Please send any gifts of flowers to Sunny Lane Cemetery.