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Matt Rieger 1971-2021

CHICAGO, Ill. — Matt Rieger, 50, of Chicago, Ill., formerly of Vienna, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, after a brief battle with cancer.

Matt was born May 21, 1971, in Warren, the son of Gil and Casey Rieger. He graduated from Mathews High School in 1989 and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Toledo. Matt continued his postgraduate education at Cleveland State University, receiving a juris doctorate in law and a Master of Arts degree in English, and later, a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from The Art Institute of Chicago.

Matt had many diverse passions in life. He was active in theater, coaching, teaching, music, poetry, sports and yoga. Matt dedicated himself to his pursuits, bringing the intensity, compassion, quick wit and sense of humor that only he could, to all his endeavors.

Matt was a longtime coach of the basketball and softball teams at the Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School and had recently taken a position as a full-time teacher there as well. He spent several years supporting area youth sports as the vice president of We Got Game. Matt also served as general manager of the Curious Theater Branch in Chicago, where he wrote, directed and acted in multiple productions.

Matt loved learning. He loved coaching. He loved working with kids. He loved the arts. When talking to Matt, he had the ability to make you feel as if you were the only one with him in an otherwise crowded room. Matt lived an eclectic life leaving behind a legacy of all the lives he touched across his many pursuits.

Matt is survived by his parents, Gil and Casey Rieger of Vienna; brother, Thad (Donna) Rieger of Lewis Center; sister, Amy Bos of Heber City, Utah; brother, Andy Rieger of Montgomery, Texas; and many nieces and nephews in Ohio, Utah, Texas and North Carolina.

He was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Jordana Rieger.

A memorial celebration will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home in Warren, Ohio, where visitation with Matt’s family will begin at 5 p.m., with the memorial service commencing at 6:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Matt Rieger Memorial Foundation that will support youth sport and theater activity. Donations should be sent to the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, c/o The Matt Rieger Memorial Foundation, 533 N. Park Ave., Warren, OH 44481.

(special notice)