Established on 01.07.2019 by Sue Riley †
The Daniel Patrick Riley Endowed Scholarship was created by Daniel’s wife, Sue Riley, in his memory.
Both Dan and his wife, Sue, attended other universities but over the years developed a love and appreciation of Concordia through their lifelong friendship with Concordia’s first campus pastor, Carl Lee, and his wife, Ann.
Daniel Patrick Riley was born in 1923 in Lidgerwood, North Dakota and attended the University of North Dakota, majoring in journalism. Like many of the Greatest Generation, he interrupted his education to serve after the outbreak of World War II. Daniel joined the Army Air Corps, serving on countless missions as a fighter pilot in the South Pacific Theatre in the battles of Saipan Island and Iwo Jima. He often downplayed his military service saying that the true heroes of the War were those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country. He briefly returned to North Dakota following the war, but he longed to return to the Pacific. In 1946, he moved to Honolulu, where he became a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines. For the next 37 years, he continued his flying career as well as headed the airline’s public relations department for several years. He was active in the movement for Statehood for Hawaii in the 1950’s. He retired from flying the week before his sixtieth birthday. On his last flight, Dan was literally showered with island leis in celebration of his storied life and career as an airline captain. Dan was a wonderful man who made friends everywhere he went.
The word that best captures the essence of Dan Riley is the code of Aloha. The kahuna David Bray interprets this code as "Come forward, be in unity and harmony with your real self, God, and mankind. Be honest, truthful, patient, kind to all life forms, and humble." He also stated that to the Hawaiian of old, Aloha meant "God in us." Dan exemplified kindness, graciousness and impeccable manners, always offering a kind word to everyone he met. His Irish charm and aloha spirit lives on in the memories of all who knew him. Countless visitors to Hawaii were welcomed by Dan and Sue at their home, and he loved to share his knowledge of the Islands with them, including Hawaiian art and culture and love for Hawaiian music.
Daniel had a voracious appetite for learning. He loved history, current events, politics and the sciences. He captivated friends with his knowledge of aviation and navigation by the stars. Daniel had a special appreciation for the visual arts, which he learned from his mother at a young age. He had a unique gift of sharing his appreciation and knowledge of art with others. He was fascinated by the Impressionist Movement: Monet, Degas, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. He also loved the gentle work of American artists, such as Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, and local Minnesota artist, Charles Beck.
In later years, Dan and Sue moved to Minnesota to be closer to family. They loved living near water, spending the last summers of Dan’s life on the shores of Lake Superior.
To honor his memory and the impact he left, the Riley family finds it most fitting to create the Daniel Patrick Riley Scholarship, awarded to upper level Concordia students pursuing their own dreams through education with a career in the arts.
The Daniel Patrick Riley Endowed Scholarship is awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to junior or senior students pursuing a degree in art or art education, with special preference to students who have a major, minor, or concentration in the visual arts, such as graphic design or art-studio.
† - Testamentary endowments may not be contributed to until they are fully established.