Donald Lee Rieck, Sr

Donald Lee Rieck of Lakeland joined the Lord, lost family, and friends on September 20, 2023. He was 84 years young. Born on July 30, 1939, in Chester Pennsylvania, Don was a graduate of Chichester High School (1958) and The Philadelphia Conservatory of Music (1962). He is preceded in death by his son, Donald Lee Rieck (2017), his brother Robert (2013) and sister-in-law Carol (2013), and his parents, Walter, and Bertha (nee McGuirk) Rieck.

Don is survived by his sister Gloria Rieck Vassallo, former wife Denise Rieck, son Michael Rieck and daughter-in-Law Lara McCutcheon, daughter-in-law Holly Rieck, daughter Nicole Rieck Rubo and son-in-law Ron Rubo. He was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Alexander Rieck, Theresa Rieck, Donald Lee Rieck lll, Emily Rieck, and Michael Rieck.

Don was a passionate musician, dedicating his life to entertainment, and still performing “gigs” almost to the very end of his life, his last one being with Gary Puckett & the Union Gap in the spring of 2023. He played guitar, bass, banjo, alto sax, and sang. Upon graduating the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music with his classmate and best friend Jack Williams, they joined and served together in the Delaware Air National Guard.

Don and Jack then formed their band, The Fall Guys, with Joey Dio, Kenny Kuchar and Bill Laws. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, they travelled the contiguous states, and performed from Des Moines to Arizona to Florida and back to Pennsylvania each year. Later in the 1980s, they regrouped as The Fall Guys & a Gal, continuing with Jack Williams, and Tony Belch, Jimmy Carson, Gary Vogel, Jimmy “Jazz” Mazzo and Stephanie Bates Carson. The band performed regularly alongside some of the biggest names in the music business, from Sammy Davis Jr. to Roy Orbison. Loyal fans followed them throughout– many of them becoming good friends over the years. The band members themselves became a great family – travelling with their spouses and children, reveling in the ups and downs of road life together.

Later in life, Don, ever the entrepreneur, founded both a musical production company and Central Florida Granite Company. He also continued to play gigs in Orlando and enjoyed his emeritus role in the music scene throughout Florida, sitting in on sessions whenever anyone needed a pro in a pinch.

Don was an avid golfer who delighted in competing against his son Michael and late son Donald Jr. When not on the links, he found great joy in the kitchen preparing creative recipes with his daughter Nicole. After dinner, he could usually be found on the back porch with a whiskey and cigar, telling great stories about days on the road. In most recent years especially, his great friend and drummer in the band, Tony, would reminisce along with anyone else stopping by for his great cooking and repartee.

Don was a devoted grandfather to his 5 grandchildren. He was always interested in hearing about their lives- work, sports and music especially caught his ear, and they in turn, have been inspired by their Pop Pop in the fields of cooking and music. Don’s favorite trip of the year was to Mullica Hill, New Jersey for our annual Rieck Family reunion, hosted by his nephew Robert Rieck Jr. and his wife Jeanine.

Without a doubt, Don loved life and lived it to the fullest. He loved people, music, great food, and conversation. There was always room at his table, and always a place to stay in his home. As the years wore on, and he had to say goodbye to friends who passed along the way, he made it clear to all of us that he did not want to be mourned. Life was for celebrating, and that is what we will do in his honor.

The celebration of life (he would say his party!) will be held on October 22, 2023, from 1-4pm, at the Music Ranch, 1920 Banana Road, Lakeland, FL 33810. 863-815-2293 www.musicranch.org