Obituary of Robert Rizley

Rizley, Robert Seal, 83, died Tuesday, October 31, 2006. A retired federal judge and community leader, Mr. Rizley was born June 11, 1923 in Guymon, Oklahoma to Ross and Ruby Rizley. The fourth of their seven children, he graduated from Guymon High School and began his studies as an English and history major at the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1949 and entered law school at the University of Michigan. Both of his studies were interrupted by service as a Marine Corps officer, first in World War II and again during the Korean War. He moved to Tulsa to work for Skelly Oil Co. in 1953 and two years later was appointed assistant U.S. Attorney. Later he was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Mr. Rizley started a private law practice with Hayden Crawford in 1961 and practiced with the firm until he was appointed federal magistrate judge for the Northern District of Oklahoma Court in 1977. He returned to private practice in 1985 and retired from the Hall Estill law firm in August of 2000. Furthermore, he was a former president of the Tulsa Tennis Club and twice served as president of Tulsa Opera. He was also a member of the opera's Emeritus Board of Directors. He was appointed a member of the board of trustees of the Sarkeys Foundation in 1975. During his 31-year tenure on the board, he served on the investment and executive committees and as the foundation's president. The Sarkeys Foundation's trustees recently established the Robert S. Rizley Opera Education Endowment Fund to honor his service on the board and his passion for opera and education. Mr. Rizley was inducted in May 2004 into the Tulsa Historical Society's Hall of Fame. He was a member of Boston Avenue Methodist Church, serving as chairman of the Music Department and as a member of the church's Long-Range Planning Committee. In addition Mr. Rizley had affiliations with the Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa County Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association and the Tulsa Club. Mr. Rizley is survived by four daughters, Kate Davis of Tulsa, Sarah Kuckelman of Washington, D.C., Nancy Lipotich of Tulsa and Julie Stewart of Norman; a son, Bobby Rizley of Tulsa; two sisters, Hortense Barrere of Van Nuys, California, and LaMoyne Cox of Snyder, Texas; a brother, Jerry Rizley of Woodward; and his former wife, Katherine Johnston; and his grandchildren, Matthew & Megan Davis, Katherine Kuckelman, Connolly & Briana Rizley, and Kemp & Alex Stewart. Add to that a great host of friends and loved ones, Mr. Rizley will be greatly missed yet his impact will live on through them. Friends are making contributions to the Robert S. Rizley Opera Education Endowment Fund, Sojourn Care Hospice, Boston Ave Methodist Church or the charity of their choice. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 10, at 11:00 a.m. at Boston Ave Methodist Church. Ninde Woodland Chapel.