WILLIAM P. RIEDER

Aug. 3, 1940 - Dec. 14, 2011
SOUTH BEND - William P. Rieder, age 71, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away Wednesday, December 14, 2011, at The Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, FL. He had moved from New York City to Longboat Key in August 2010. He was born August 3, 1940, in South Bend, IN, to the late Leo and Esther (Hager) Rieder. He is survived by his brother, James (Mary) Rieder of Powell, OH; nephew, Christopher (Kelly) Rieder of Newtown, PA; nieces, Catherine Rieder of Great Falls, VA, Joanna (Giles) Cotter of Reston, VA, Mary Beth (John) McCarthy of Chicago, IL; 12 grand-nephews and nieces, numerous cousins; many friends throughout the United States, Europe and the British Isles; and special friend, Richard Wilcox.

He graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1958.

He received his undergraduate degree in the History of Art from Yale University and his Master's in the History of Art from Harvard University.

His long career began at The Kress Foundation, New York City, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England, The J. Paul Getty Center for the History of Art and the Humanities, Santa Monica, CA, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City where he was Curator and Administrator of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. During his many years with the Metropolitan he traveled extensively throughout Europe and the British Isles, using his expertise to acquire appropriate pieces for the Museum`s collection. He was especially proud of his responsibility for the design and development of the Annie Laurie Aitken Galleries, English Decorative Arts on the first floor of the Museum. He is the author of the book, "A Charmed Couple, The Art and Life of Walter and Matilda Gay", an appreciation of a peerless painter of fine interiors, with a vivid picture of American Expatriate life in France. He also authored numerous articles, book reviews and catalogues on European furniture from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century, with an emphasis on Eighteenth century English furniture.

Bill was an accomplished classical pianist and organist, and a voracious reader of classical and contemporary literature. Since his retirement, he has spent many hours on his motor yacht, a French designed and built River Boat, exploring the Hudson River in upstate New York and the waterways of western Florida.

Arrangements are by Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Sarasota, FL, and Welsheimer's Funeral Home, South Bend, IN. A memorial service to celebrate Bill`s life will be held in the future at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. His family would like to express their appreciation to the caring staff at The Tidewell Hospice, Bradenton, FL. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238-5160.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Dec. 18, 2011.

02/23/2023 EJS