Lee R. Riley '42 went to school in a one-room schoolhouse before graduating from Lamar (Colo.) High School and then living with his sister in Wichita while going to college. He grew to love the University of Wichita, where he was active on campus – and met his wife, E. Carolyn McMahon. A member of the Student Council, he strove as vice president of WU's chapter of the Blue Key national honorary fraternity "to make Shockerville a better and safer school."
After earning a bachelor's degree in geology, he used his education as the foundation for a long and successful career as a petroleum geologist. But first, he fought in World War II with Patton's Third Army, moving across France and Germany, and entering Nuremberg on VE Day. He helped relocate former POWs and displaced persons to their native countries. Back in Wichita in 1945, he worked for Carter Oil Co., transferring to Ardmore, Okla., during 1948's oil boom. In 1965, he became exploration manager for Humble Oil and Refining Co. in Oklahoma City, retiring in 1970 to work as an independent geologist.
A member of the WSU Geology Advisory Council, he also served on the board of the WSU Alumni Association. In 1986 when the association was naming its new newsletter, he wrote, "I would like to suggest what I think is a fitting name since we are Shockers – Grains of Wheat."
Lee Riley died Dec. 23, 2013, in Oklahoma City.
