John Riegert Memorial Fund

Artist, father, friend and brother John Riegert died of suicide on Nov. 23, 2018. He was 50 years old and leaves behind a wide circle of family and friends who struggle to make sense of this great loss. This fund has been established with the goal of creating a piece of public art to honor his memory and to preserve his body of work.  If approved by the Allegheny Cemetery where he is buried, the artwork would be installed as his grave marker.

John was a gifted artist who struggled mightily with mental illness. He leaves behind a legacy of creativity and kindness that made all who knew him better and more gentle people. No one appreciated absurdity of the human condition like John.  You may learn more about John in his  Post-Gazette obituary 

In the event that we are unable to install the custom grave marker as intended, or that there are funds leftover from this campaign,  any remaining dollars will go toward preserving his body of work and toward a college fund for John's daughter, Fiona Riegert, age 15, who is also a gifted artist and musician. Her loss is especially profound.

A public memorial, named The Last Leprefun, is planned for Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019, at the Allegheny BPOE Elks Lodge on the Northside. Details are here:  The Last Leprefun event, Jan. 26, 2019.