Louis "Lou" Riecke, Jr., former President of Tulane Hardwood Lumber Company, passed away on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. He was 90.
Born October 2, 1926 in New Orleans, to Louis Sr. and Cleo Noel Riecke, Lou attended Gentilly Terrace, Jesuit High School, and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1949. During summers, Lou worked as a lifeguard at Pontchartrain Beach where he and his future wife, Enid Lambert, enjoyed performing acrobatics with friends. Lou served in the Navy Medical Corps from 1943 until 1946. He married his childhood sweetheart Enid on June 4, 1949.
Lou was an accomplished athlete and a beloved member of the sports community. In high school he ran track but started lifting weights because he felt like he wasn't big enough to play football. Lou never wound up playing football, but instead discovered a lifelong passion that led to tremendous success as a weightlifter. He won an NCAA weightlifting championship in 1947 and later added three national YMCA titles. In 1964, he set a World Record by lifting 147.5 kg (just over 325 pounds) in the snatch as a light heavyweight. Later that year, he won the Olympic trials in New York and was honored to represent the United States in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
His success in weightlifting allowed him to become only the second strength and conditioning coach in the National Football League when he was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers. During his tenure in Pittsburgh (1970-1980), the Steelers became renowned for their strength and physical play, won four Super Bowls, and are universally considered as one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history.
Among many honors, Lou was inducted in the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. In 2003, he was an inaugural inductee of the USA Strength & Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame. He continued his athletic career well into his 70s via the Senior Olympics; running, winning, and setting national records in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.
In addition to sports and his family, Lou loved history, Westerns, a good joke or limerick, and perhaps most of all, ice cream.
Lou is survived by his loving wife Enid, sister Cleo Velleman (Richard), four daughters; Cynthia Curran (Ron), Ginger Gomes (Gene), Vicki Riecke, and Jaime Lee Maxwell; seven grandchildren, Evan Gomes, Emily Ostlund, Austin Gomes, Vanessa Ray, Alex Maxwell, Brendan Curran, and Julia Fanous; and eight great-grandchildren, Elliott and Charlotte Gomes, Gwendolyn and Juliet Ostlund, Bennett and Parker Gomes, Sebastian and Rowan Fanous.
Friends and family are welcomed to attend a memorial service at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home at 4747 Veterans Boulevard on Saturday, June 10th. Visitation is at 9:00 am with service to follow at 11:00. In lieu of flowers/plants, please send donations in Lou's name to the Harahan Senior Center at 100 Elodie Avenue, Harahan, LA 70123 or to a charity of your choice. The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home.
June 9, 2017
Mary Giambelluca-Evans
Ms.Enid, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your husband were always so sweet to me and my children as well as my parents. I will never forget Mr.Riecke's big smile. May he Rest In Peace.
Mary Giambelluca-Evans
June 9, 2017
Terrinell Carroll
May the comfort of God help you all during this difficult time. Please Accept my deepest condolences.... I will cherish the times he made me laugh and it was more than a pleasure to make memories with such a awesome person.
Love always "Terri" (Visiting Angel)
June 8, 2017
So sorry for your loss. I remember his huge smile so well as he pulled into the driveway in his MG. as we played outside. He was my first inspiration for driving a sports car! Wish I could bring my mom on Saturday, but I will be out of town. May he rest in peace. Jay Glaudi Sonier
June 8, 2017
Tim Riecke
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Lou Riecke. I am the son of HS Riecke III. I only met Lou a few times, but found him to be extraordinarily upbeat and positive person. I heard Terry Bradshaw thank him in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech for his work with Steelers and helping him achieve his success. His years in the Navy as a medic are most appreciated by all of us. He was a great man, and he will be sorely missed until we all meet again in Heaven God willing.
June 8, 2017
Gene & Ginger and family, my deepest sympathy to you over your loss. May God bless you during this time.
Scott Schmidt (New Orleans)
June 7, 2017
Miss Corliss
Ginger and Gene,
Sincerest condolences.
June 7, 2017
Miss Corliss
Ginger and Gene,
Sincerest condolences.
June 7, 2017
Steven & Patricia Schmidt
Ginger and Gene,
Please accept out sincerest condolences. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
June 7, 2017
Peter Dassey
Vicki:
My condolences on the loss of your father. I can still picture his imposing physique, standing guard at the front door when I would come by in high school, betraying that head of gray hair. That 1st handshake is one I will never forget!
June 5, 2017
Eli Lucas
Coach unselfishly taught me the use of many skills to achieve my best, both mental as well as physical. His wisdom was timeless and I will never forget the lessons he shared during our times together. Coach inculcated the invaluable use of tools like hypnosis and mental rehearsal in the achievement of intellectual and physical goals of great importance to me. I will always remember his sagacity and unselfish willingness to encourage both the pursuit, as well as the attainment, of my very best.
June 5, 2017
Heartfelt condolences to the entire Riecke family.
So sorry your loss. We remember and thank Louis for being kind and generous to our family.
Richard and Fran Ralls
June 5, 2017
Jake Lowenhaupt
I was a customer at Tulane Hardwood after Lou was in charge, and bought supplies from them for apartments. This was just after the Steelers had won four Super Bowls. Lou rightfully got a lot of credit for those wins. I raced against Lou and lost. He did everything well. He will be missed, and our prayers are with him and the family.
June 2, 2017
Angeliqe Johnson
The loss of a father is painful to bear. He's a source of quiet strength, that's missed when he's not there. Take comfort he's in Heaven, & looking down at you. He'll be there throughout the years, watching and guiding you. He's your very own guardian angel, and he'll be with you to the end. When you meet again in Heaven, and your broken heart will mend.
Angelique & Tyrone Johnson
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