Harvey Wesley Riley

Harvey Wesley Riley, known to most as Harv, was born October 16, 1936, to the late Conrad F. Riley, Sr. and Pricilla Pauline Carney Riley in Smyrna, Delaware. He received his formal education at the Thomas D. Clayton School in Smyrna, Booker T. Washington School and William Henry High School, both in Dover, Delaware. At William Henry High School he played football, basketball, and baseball. During his senior year, he was the captain of all three teams. He matriculated to Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, on a football scholarship and graduated in 1959, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction and Engineering. At that time, he was also commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant (Ordnance Corp) which led to a military career. While at Hampton, he played football, baseball, and wrestled. He served as the captain of the baseball team. His service in the United States Army began at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland. His military career included two tours of duty in Germany, two tours in Viet Nam, one tour in Korea, as well as Fort Lewis, in Tacoma, Washington, and the National Guard in Jefferson City, Missouri, ending back at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Harvey served for 20 years and retired as a Major in 1980. After retirement, he took several courses at Delaware State College, now Delaware State University, to earn a teaching certificate, but was called back to the Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance Center and Schools to serve as an Education and Training Specialist. There, he developed lesson plans and field manuals for the Army to train its soldiers. Due to his expertise, he was often sent TDY to various Army installations to insure his plans were followed. He was also on the team that designed the HUMMER, which replaced the old Army Jeep. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Elizabeth “Libby” Hicks of Milford, Delaware, on June 22, 1958. In addition to high school, they also attended Hampton University together. Harvey paid his way through college by working at the campus farm, cleaning the football stadium, delivering mail during the Christmas holidays, and doing construction work during the summer months. Advanced ROTC also provided a stipend. When Harvey and Shirley returned to Hampton for their 25th reunion, the love for the school and the campus became greater. They became staunch supporters of the institution and very active with the alumni association. They also encouraged several family members to attend Hampton. Harvey and Libby loved traveling. They loved it so much, they camped throughout Italy, Austria, and Switzerland and dined on “C” Rations. Their travels have carried them to Africa, several Asian countries, and approximately 30 European countries including Russia, Poland, and Estonia. Two highlights were visiting Vatican City, which included a private audience with the Pope, and entering East Germany through “Check Point Charlie” in route to Berlin. Harvey was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Reverend Conrad Riley, Jr. Harvey is survived by his wife; three sons, Harvey Jr., Darryl, and Bruce; siblings, Barbara Williams, and James Douglas Riley and his wife Vivian; five grand-children, Nicole Thompson, Alicia, Jasmine, Jade and Aaron Riley; four great-grandchildren: Naudia and Cadence Willow, Collin and Logan Harris, and Dillon Harris is expected in March; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Harvey was a member of several organizations and was very active in the church and the community. Some of his involvements were: Whatcoat United Methodist Church Trustee Board Stewardship Committee Usher Board Auditor Board Member of the Whatcoat Apartments Church Photographer Wesley Foundation Listening Post at Delaware State University Boy Scouts of America Dover Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association, Inc. (Parliamentarian) Psi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Treasurer) Co-Founder of the Delaware Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame serving as a past president for four years and was an inductee in 1999 Masonic Affiliations: Hattie S. Blackwell Chapter #16,Order of the Eastern Star (Past Patron) Dover AFB Military Lodge #28 (Past Master) Suakim Temple #60 (The Small Wonder Clown Club) 33rd Degree Mason

Harvey Wesley Riley

October 16, 1936 - February 28, 2019