If George Bailey touched many lives in Bedford Falls, even if he didn't know it before Clarence the angel explained it all, then you could say that central Arkansas just lost its George Bailey. How many people did Pat M. Riley Sr. affect in his 92 years here? Nearly all or just most?
We're not certain if we have enough space to list all the accomplishments this man had, and how many popular spots he helped create. We can touch on a few:
He got into the health club business back in the mid-1980s. Clubs he started became the Little Rock Athletic Club, the Little Rock Racquet Club, the North Little Rock Athletic Club, and the Downtown Athletic Club.
Oh yes, he all but revived the Arkansas chapter of the U.S. Tennis Association back in the 1950s. Turning it from broke to thriving in only a few short years.
World War II vet, Harvard, businessman, singer, father, husband of 64 years, all-around good fella.
Goodness, we haven't mentioned tennis champ and official. (The only Arkansan, it's said, to umpire at the U.S. Open and Wimbledon.)
When news of Pat Riley's death began making the rounds last week, the stories began pouring in.
The papers quoted a long-time friend of Mr. Riley, one Jay Freeman, who told the story of a young lady who needed help paying fees at one of the athletic clubs so she could practice: "Pat gave her a full membership," Mr. Freeman said. "She ended up with a four-year tennis scholarship at Texas A&M."
Who in central Arkansas hasn't been to one of the athletic clubs or swimming pools or tennis courts that have Pat Riley's fingerprints on them? Oh, it must've been a wonderful life.
Pat M. Riley Sr., the richest man in town. Good show, sir.
Editorial on 09/10/2016