Regis Griesemer

March 30, 1940 - May 22, 2016

Funeral Tribute, Sacred Heart Catholic Church

May 26, 2016

Regis was a father-figure to many and a friend to all.  Regis was a humble man always willing to lend a hand and offer a joke to make you laugh. He was referred to by many names: Regis, Reeg, Big Reeg, Pat, Uncle Regis, Brother, Gramps, Grandpa, Dad, and Hon.  There were other names lovingly bestowed upon him that cannot be mentioned in church.

Regis proudly served in the US Air Force while being stationed in Saudi Arabia and England.  There was no love lost between Regis and Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.  He referred to it as the hottest place on earth. He once said, “if Satan’s house is anything like Saudi Arabia, I never want to go there”. There were many other references made to Saudi Arabia that also cannot be mentioned in church.

Reeg worked in the explosive business, making way for a faster means for destination seeking drivers, over half his life.  He was a second-generation powderman, taking over his father’s business and working for Explosives Energies.  Working in this field for over 37-years made Big Reeg the go-to-man for all things related to explosives.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had his number on speed-dial.  While most people feared a visit or call from the ATF, it was a regular occurrence, and at times a regular call to Reeg.  After the Oklahoma City bombing of the Murrah building, ATF agents contacted Reeg to determine the source of the explosives.  ATF agents once again contacted him to secure explosives in the area after the September 11th terrorist attack of our nation.  Regis had some unique opportunities as well.  After the Persian Gulf war, Saddam Hussein's troops set fire to hundreds of oil rigs during their retreat.  Regis was given the opportunity to go to Kuwait and extinguish the oil wells with explosives.  While the opportunity would have been a financially lucrative endeavor ending in early retirement but he declined.  Did I mention his love affair with the Middle East weather?  

Regis was always careful and was the adamant professional with his use of explosives. Although there were times of concern by family and friends.  One of many times of blasting stumps, Regis directed everyone to the garage because that would be far enough away to remain safe.  Regis protected everyone from the stump, but he failed to take into consideration the rock that could and would go through the garage roof and hit the car.  Ann shared her feelings with him after that incident but unfortunately that conversation can’t be repeated in church.

We think Reeg secretly wanted to be a race-car driver when he grew up.  He drove like he was Mario Andretti or Jeff Gordon, at times if you were a passenger in his back seat, it seemed like both at the same time. There was a time Reeg was bound and determined to get a particular client that a competitor was woo-ing at the same time.  This particular competitor must have had a “larger sales-pitch” budget than Reeg, because one day the competitor planned to take this particular hoped-to-be customer via helicopter to a Branson site.  Reeg being the competitive person he was, and certainly not to be out-done, drove like Mario or Jeff down every back-road and shortcut he could find to be at the landing site before the helicopter arrived.  To this day we do not know if Reeg won the client over, but we are pretty certain, land-speed records were broken that day becuase he beat the helicopter down there.

Ann was Regis’ Florence Nightingale.  She made sure Regis ate heart-healthy, well balanced meals while maintaining a healthy sugar-free lifestyle.  However, each Christmas and Easter day Regis secretly solicited and bartered his sugar-free filled stocking and basket with Susan’s chocolate covered marshmallow Santas.  When that was not enough, it turned into bartering for the grand-children’s chocolate covered goods, and probably Ann’s candies all before her eyes.  It was not until Dad was caught red-handed by Ann with a lap full of the goods, wrappers on the floor, and his cheeks stuffed like the Easter Bunny.  Ann just walked away with her hands in the air, cussing Regis under her breath Once again that conversation can’t be repeated here.

Dad was also a practical jokester.  Although there are too many to recount he took “no prisoners” including new friends.  One time Dad and a friend were blasting stumps in the yard.  The spouse of the friend inquired about explosives, and their safety.  Dad just so happened to have had a stick of dynamite in his truck.  While he explained how gently explosives should be handled, he gingerly lifted the dynamite, carried it toward the spouse, pretended to trip and dropped it at the spouse’s feet.  After the screaming and laughter stopped, undergarments had to be changed.

Uncle Regis enjoyed the outdoors, including dove hunting.  During one dove hunting trip, while most hunters bring one or two boxes of shotgun shells, Uncle Regis bought a case of shells he had purchased from Sears.  He was bound and determined to bring dinner home that night because it sounded like World War 3 wherever he was.  Unfortunately, Uncle Regis believed it was Sears and their faulty product that prevented him from a successful hunting experience and dinner that night.  However, Uncle Regis’ nephews knew the shotgun shells were not the problem, they knew Uncle Regis was just a bad shot.  Although Uncle Regis was not successful on that particular hunting trip, he was a pretty good shot on his back-deck, in his underwear when it came to shooting a deer just minding its own business walking through his yard.  It was probably a good thing that deer never saw Uncle Regis coming.  

We have all heard “Big Fish Stories” and “the one that got away”.  As you can guess, Uncle Regis had plenty of his own “Big Deer Stories” and “the one that literally got away”.  One of many deer hunting adventures ended with Regis calling his older brothers stating “I hit the deer and followed the blood through the trees, but I could never find it”.  The next morning at church nieces were mimicking “the one that ran away” by walking around with their hands portrayed as antlers.

Golf was another pastime Regis enjoyed.  Big brother Regis was true to the sport. He took everything about it seriously, where and when to “make a pit-stop”, and appropriate behavior (laughing or making light about not being able to hit off the tee was not tolerated lightly), and enjoying the 19th hole.  Regis’ love of the sport spread into his retirement when he took a summer job as a groundskeeper taking care of the greens at the Payne Stewart Golf Course.  He knew that one of the perks was free golf at all the Springfield golf courses. After his job interview his sons asked him if he got the job.  He said yes and “you know I get to play golf for free”.  The boys responded that they were aware of that.  And Regis said “Yeah and they’re going to pay me too!”  He really thought he’d pulled one over on the golf course staff.  Regis got the chance to play many rounds with his brother Jude although we often question the validity of their scorecards.  As we sit here, brother and golf buddy Regis is probably enjoying a round of golf in Heaven with his older brother.

Regis was a man of deep Catholic faith.  Regis and Ann were members of Sacred Heart Catholic church for 49-years.  You could always find Regis volunteering to help around the parish, provide leadership through the Parish Council, welcome and care for others, and singing in the choir for many years.  Regis was true to his word and tried to live his life according to the word of Jesus.  Recently, Regis mentioned to a family member he missed going to mass, and receiving Holy Communion.  Regis is now living in the glory of God in Heaven receiving communion on a daily basis.

Grandpa Regis, also known as Gramps, was one of his grandchildren’s biggest sports fan and music enthusiast.  He supported “Riel” in all her sporting dables, but volleyball was her favorite sport.  He was always supporting her speed and agility digging an opponent’s spike just inches from the floor. Riel has followed in her Gramps love of music.  Gramps enjoyed attending her piano recitals and choir performances.  Many times her singing brought tears to his eyes.  Although Nathan and Matthew dabbled in numerous sports, you would find Gramps on the sidelines of the soccer field. Gramps sat quietly during the games, but enthusiastically cheered when either grandson made good passes, dribbled well, or scored. Gramps also enjoyed both Nathan and Matthew’s school performances.  He was there with a smile and impressed with their talent.  Grandpa attended many baseball and basketball games for Chase and Cole.  He sat in the bleachers watching and cheering for their strikeouts, catches, baskets and good hits. After each game Grandpa provided them with a high five or “good job”. Grandpa could not leave this earth without knowing Chase had just struck out three players in his current game.  Cayden most recently found his sporting enjoyment in soccer.  Grandpa was there watching Cayden get into the mix of players to kick the ball or watch him play goalie.  Grandpa was there too, providing cheers, and good job pat on the back.  If he had to miss a ballgame or tournament due to location or health, Grandpa eagerly awaited their game updates, and successes.  Grandpa made sure he attended end-of-the year music performances for Chase, Cole, and Cayden as well. Their performances were quite entertaining and impressive to Grandpa.  As it looks right now, Cayden may have his grandpa’s musical talent and wit of entertaining.

It never mattered to Grandpa Regis the outcome of his grandchildren’s games, or how their other talents shown for others to see, it mattered to him that they knew he was there for them in body or spirit.  Now Gramps has no need to walk to enjoy his grandchildren, he will always have a front row seat.

Dad can be seen in his sons.  Brendan and Greg have  their Dad’s kindness, love of outdoors, ability to make repairs and problem solve, humor, and example of how to be a loving husband, and supporting father.

Regis was dearly referred to as “Hon” by Ann.  Hon was used in her daily conversation with Regis (including during times of frustration).  When words were no-longer easy for Regis to express, his love for Ann could be seen through his glance, and gentle touch.  Most recently a family member watched the love they had for one another.  When breathing began to get hard, Regis looked to Ann for strength and peace while Jesus whispered his name.  Ann gently calmed Regis with her touch and kind words of, “Hon breathe slowly, you are ok”.  

We believe Regis’ wishes were met as he entered the gates of heaven and is looking down upon the hot, sandy land of Saudi Arabia, otherwise kindly referred to as the hottest place on earth.  Regis made it clear many, many times, including before he was sick that he did not want crying on earth when he entered the pearly gates.  He wanted all of us to celebrate with him.  

We know that he’s now in heaven playing golf with his buddies only this time they don’t have to lie!  

Until we meet again in eternal peace with Jesus, CHEERS Regis, Reeg, Big Reeg, Pat, Uncle Regis, Brother, Gramps, Grandpa, Dad, and Hon!