John Kent Riegel, Jr 51, died on January 28, 2021, in the Wilmington Hospital from coronavirus complications. He had been hospitalized when his entire immediate family contracted coronavirus. He was born in Bethesda, MD on December 2, 1969, the son of J. Kent and Betty Riegel. John Kent was born with developmental disabilities, but overcame the multiple challenges they presented and accomplished many lifetime achievements. He was a graduate of A.I. DuPont High School, successfully completed various post high school courses and spent many years as an employee of Service Source Delaware and its predecessor companies. He enjoyed driving to the family beach house in the Fenwick Island area where he spent many hours on his pontoon boat threatening the fish population of the surrounding bay. His wonderful, warm and outgoing personality was a delight to all who knew him and he has been variously described as one of the kindest, loving and most caring man who brought joy to those he encountered. He personified the adage that while people may not remember what you said to them, they will remember how you made them feel.
He will be deeply missed by his parents, Kent and Betty Riegel, his loving brother, Geoffrey and his wife, Heidi, and all the members of his extended family and friends both here in the United States and England.
Due to current pandemic conditions, there will be no services held for John Kent but in lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a contribution in John Kent’s honor to Expanding Options, Inc., Patrick Donahue, Treasurer,302 Audrey Lane, Smyrna, DE 19977 or https://www.servicesource.org/ Expanding Options is a not for profit local organization managed exclusively by volunteer parents of high functioning adults dedicated to providing them with social experiences and Service Source Delaware is an employment organization for disabled adults, both organizations that have contributed to John Kent’s quality of life.
An event to celebrate his life will be held later in the year.
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