Anthony James Riesberg

Anthony J. Riesberg, age 56 of Houston TX, passed away unexpectedly on Friday March 15, 2024. Anthony James Riesberg was born on April 1, 1967 to Robert R. Riesberg Jr. and Patricia (née Edmunds). Sister Kathleen followed in 1968 and brother Matthew in 1970, and he was our big brother ever since. Anthony grew up in South Minneapolis, MN, up the hill from little beach, Lake Nokomis. Anthony was the first born and a natural leader. In his youth, his passions were fishing, basketball, baseball, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In his teen years, he enjoyed playing Dungeons & Dragons, hanging out at Lake Nokomis, and spending time with friends. Anthony had a knack for learning from a young age, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1985 with a 4.0 GPA and received a 2 year scholarship to the University of Minnesota in academics. Also, a little known fact Anthony used to be Tony, all of his younger years! In November 1986 Anthony joined the Navy, went out to see the World, and did just that. He was an Airman on the USS Midway. His squadron was HS 12 - The Spearguns. When he was not out to sea, his naval base was in Atsugi, Japan. He was on the Indian Ocean Cruise 1987-88 which included stops in Australia, the Phillipines, Kenya, and Thailand. He had the honor of being named Carrier Air Wing 5 "Sailor of the Month" for February 1988, and "Petty Officer of the Quarter" for the second quarter of 1988. He had the nickname "Bird" to his friends and had a lot of fun seeing the World. What an adventure. He faithfully wrote letters home. On the back of his picture of the USS Midway he labeled it "My sweet lady". Once out of the Navy, Anthony dove back into learning and education. Thru the years, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Minnesota in 1996, and he completed his Masters of Science degree at St. Cloud State University in 2008. He studied Higher Education Administration and Leadership. Other passions throughout the years included rodeo; bull & bronc riding. He was a volunteer fire fighter in Isanti, MN. He loved hockey, was a hockey coach, and enjoyed going to MN Wild hockey games. Anthony was married in 2003 for 2 years to Summer Hosek, and adored her 2 daughters, Krissy and Autumn Montgomery. He was also a stand up father figure and friend to Nick Judnitch, whom he met thru a friend's son. Anthony was "Talls" to Nick and friends. Anthony was a guiding force in their education, and always made himself available. Anthony taught them about life, made sure they knew that there was a time for everything including Celebrations. Anthony taught them how important family was. Anthony never had children of his own, but was blessed with their presence in his life. Anthony was a 10 year lung cancer survivor. The cancer never spread. He was so very lucky. Thru that journey, Anthony's life pivoted again. He developed a passion for travel, photography, art, and fashion. He made a conscious decision to travel the World, with 3 multiple country adventures which a few trips were up to 6 weeks away from home. He would set up travels to 7-9 different countries. He loved traveling thru Europe & went to see Morocco. During these travels he went to Lithuania several times to visit Uncle Page Edmunds, wife Edvile, Anders & Valeria. He loved this adventurous time of his life. He often thought about moving overseas, but always kept his home base here in Minnesota. Anthony really enjoyed being able to help others and steer them in the right direction as well as lead his teams to a positive result for the institutions he worked for. He had found his calling. Anthony was not about one's self, he was about bettering those around him. He worked at the following schools: Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) in Minneapolis MN, St. Cloud Technical and Community College in St. Cloud MN, South Central Community and Technical College in Mankato MN, and Riverland Community College, with campuses in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna MN. He had many colleagues that remained friends thru the years. In 2022, Anthony accepted a Manager Advising position at Coleman College, part of Houston Community College in Texas. He was "all in". He got a beautiful apartment with the Houston skyline out his window. He loved being in Houston, his job, and his coworkers. He was living his best life. Anthony was recovering from pneumonia, and moving on to physical therapy/rehab when the Lord called him home unexpectedly on March 15, 2024. Anthony touched many lives. A recent condolence from an HCC colleage stated: "Anthony was an angel. He was intensely private without being standoffish, offering any information asked but not volunteering anything, but his passion and love for students and his job lit up his eyes when we spoke. His positivity, way of always finding the good in everything, support, dedication, and passion was always visible, no matter who he spoke with. I knew I could depend and rely on him, trusted him implicitly, without even knowing him that well. It was his demeanor, soothing tone, body language. He was approachable, easy to trust and open up to. HCC has really lost an amazing soul; Coleman lost a true family member". Anthony was full of love and light. He liked to make people laugh. He loved Mountain Dew. He was a lefty. He was very intelligent. He was a stand up guy you could always count on. He always showed up with a smile on his face and a camera in his hands. He had a large but quiet presence and a comforting, loving personality. He was a proud representative for our family. He was an Honorable Airman serving his Country. He was Patriotic. He was Faithful. He was strong. He was a true Cowboy. When he did something, he did it to the fullest. He will be deeply missed. Anthony was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Patricia; both sets of grandparents, Robert R. Riesberg Sr. & Lillian (Bill), William & Ruth Edmunds (née Hoaglund); uncles and aunts, Don & Shirl Riesberg, Clyde Peterson, & Page Edmunds. Anthony is survived by his sister, Katie (Rick) Borka; brother, Matt (Natalie) Riesberg; nephew, Clint Borka; nieces, Kayla Borka, Emma & Sophia Riesberg; two half brothers, Kevin (Linda) Dockter and family, and Mark Riesberg, ex-wife Summer Riesberg, her daughters Autumn Montgomery and Kris Wilson, Nick Judnitch; uncles and aunts, Dick & Beverly Riesberg, Ken & Barbara Riesberg, Barb Peterson, and Ruth Anne Maguire; cousins; and other relatives and friends. Memorial service will take place on Monday, April 29th at 11 AM at Washburn-McReavy Nokomis Park Chapel. Visitation one hour prior. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. For attending the memorial service, we will be processing to the cemetery as a group. For those who are unable to attend the memorial service but would like to join the family for the committal service at Fort Snelling, please arrive at Assembly Lane #2 at 1:45 PM.

Tributes

Anthony James Riesberg

April 1, 1967 - March 15, 2024

Tributes

Anthony James Riesberg

April 1, 1967 - March 15, 2024

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203