Dr. Kenneth R. Riley passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the age of 85 as the result of challenges associated with Parkinson- Disease.

Born April 30, 1937 in Holton, Kansas to Minnis and Dorothy (Kaul) Riley, Ken graduated from Holton High School in 1955. Proud to be a “Holton Blue Blood”, he played on the football and golf teams while a student. He was an Eagle Scout.

Ken graduated from Kansas State University in 1959. While at K-State he became a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Following graduation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental College in 1963, he served in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Strategic Air Command Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska, at the rank of Captain.

In 1965 Ken began his dental practice in Hiawatha, Kansas that he would maintain until his retirement in 2003.

In 1989 Ken was appointed to the Kansas Dental Board by Governor Mike Hayden, later serving as its President. He would also serve the dental profession as an Examiner, granting licenses to practice dentistry in 11 states.

Ken was a long-time director and shareholder of the Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Company. He was also a member and Elder of the Hiawatha First Presbyterian Church.

Ken married Merry Gay Bankey on August 20, 1961 and two children, Megan and Mike, were born of this union. Merry Gay died March 17, 2001.

Ken married Cheryl Jo Tietge on October 26, 2002.

An avid sportsman, Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and in later years, pickle ball. He also traveled extensively, visiting five continents, dozens of countries and all 50 states. He loved to spoil his grandchildren and was a passionate K-State supporter.

Ken is survived by his wife Cheryl of Hiawatha, KS; daughter Megan (Riley) Rahe and husband Brad of Holton, KS; son Mike Riley and wife Courtney of Hiawatha, KS; grandchildren Taylor (Rahe) Farrar and husband Landon of Prairie Village, KS; Kenneth Riley Rahe of Wellington, KS; Ashlyn Riley of Hiawatha, KS; and Reagan Riley of Hiawatha, KS; brother-in-law Keith Atlakson of Atchison, KS; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Hochuli and husband Sheldon, and sister Dorothy Jean Atlakson.

A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Hiawatha, Kansas at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church, Hiawatha, Kansas or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson- Research and sent in care of P.O. Box 236, Hiawatha, Kansas 66434.

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