John Riese, who helped build successful law firm, dies at age 97

John N. Riese hated milking cows. Growing up in a farm in Duvall during the early 1900s, milking the family's cows was one of the many duties he and his eight siblings had to do every day.

But his dislike of cows was the only thing Mr. Riese didn't like about life on the farm, his son recalled.

Decades later, after a successful career in law, Mr. Riese frequently went back to Duvall to reunite with friends and reminisce about life in the country. He also helped establish the Washington State 4-H Foundation, and in 2001 he was inducted into that organization's Hall of Fame.

"He was a farm boy at heart," said Rush Riese, Mr. Riese's son. "He had a very special place in his heart for Duvall."

Mr. Riese, a successful Medina lawyer, died Dec. 3 of natural causes. He was 97.

It was in rural Duvall, the place of his birth in 1909, where Mr. Riese found his love for the art of argument, which would lead to a career in the law.

"His father would act like a justice of the peace out there," Rush Riese said. "They would hold these hearings. He'd put his ear to the door and tell his sisters he could make better arguments."

Mr. Riese graduated from the University of Washington's School of Law in 1937. After graduation, he was a founding member of Emery, Howe, Davis and Riese, which became Davis Wright Tremaine, a multistate law firm employed by The Seattle Times.

When World War II hit, Mr. Riese volunteered to serve his country, joining the Navy. One night, while stationed in San Diego, he met a young nurse named Rae at a club.

"He walked in with a group of other guys," Rush Riese said. "She was sitting there with a group of her friends. I think it was love at first sight."

The two married in 1943. After World War II, they moved to the Seattle area and later settled in a rambler in Medina that was suitable for their daughter, Jane, who was paralyzed from the waist down.

"He was a great father," Rush Riese remembered. He was "kind and generous. He'd celebrate your successes, feel and hurt with you in your failures."

Later, Mr. Riese met Jim Casey, the founder of United Parcel Service. Both men began a professional relationship. When Casey decided to establish a foundation to help children in foster care, he asked Mr. Riese to serve on the foundation's board.

John "began to feel really strongly about the foundation," said Joan Poliak, vice chair of Casey Family Programs board of trustees. He developed an "understanding of what these children needed."

Mr. Riese served on the board for 26 years and directed it for 22. "He was a man of great integrity, of principles and a good leader," Poliak said. "He had a great sense of humor and [was] absolutely devoted to children."

Mr. Riese's death was preceded by his wife's in 1996 and daughter Jane's in 2004. In addition to his son, he is survived by his son's wife, Susan, of Redmond; two grandchildren, Katherine and Brett; his younger sister, Irene Skurski, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and many nephews, nieces, friends and colleagues.

A memorial service was held Monday.

Manuel Valdes: 206-464-8305 or mvaldes@seattletimes.com