Rieck Services, the family’s mechanical contracting company, celebrated 125 years in business in 2017.
“Customers in Dayton understand quality, and we work hard to provide that,” Rieck told the Dayton Daily News that year.
“It’s unbelievable,” he added. “I love Dayton, and Dayton loves me back.”
Company founder Herman Rieck started a small business on Wayne Avenue in the 1890s. The company installed sheet metal roofing and furnaces around the city, and Herman Rieck became famous for speedy service — flying through the streets on horse and wagon.
The founder’s great-grandson, Harold Rieck began sweeping the floors at age 14. As a young man, he left the company for a few years, but returned in 1956 and has been there ever since, with the exception of an attempted retirement, the business said.
He became president in 1966 and CEO in 1970.
According to Doug Mayse, president of Rieck Construction, “the Rieck family has led the business for more than 130 years, beginning with Harold’s great-grandfather Herman F. Rieck.”
Harold received recognition as a member of the Dayton Business Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.
“Family values and respect for customers has kept the business thriving for more than 130 years,” Mayse said in the statement. “Harold led us with simple advice — give our clients more than they expect. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who were fortunate enough to have known him.”
His legacy of philanthropic work included support for local organizations such as United Rehabilitation Services, Dayton History Carillon Historical Park, Dayton Society of Natural History’s Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Grandview and Southview Hospitals and Miami Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America, among others.
The company provides maintenance and construction services in the areas of heating, air conditioning, ventilation, sheet metal fabrication, temperature controls and energy solutions.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Rieck Children’s Center at United Rehabilitation Services.
Memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tobias-funeral.com.
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