Remembering Sandy Riehn: obit writer and friend

Recently I attended the Global Leadership Summit, a Christian-based training where a popular theme was love. One speaker referenced the commandment in the Bible (Mark 12:31) to love our neighbors as ourselves.

I've found myself thinking more about that theme.

Last Sunday a dear friend and colleague at the Southeast Missourian died. You did not see her byline on stories, and much of her work was behind the scenes. But for 47-plus years she played a vital role at this newspaper company.

Her name was Sandy Riehn. Sandy was one of those people who took special pride in her work. She coordinated obituaries, birth announcements, weddings and engagements -- along with many other tasks. She helped me with projects on more than one occasion.

Sandy did things the right way and went out of her way to make sure her work was accurate and done well. She cared about people and truly loved others.

As former editor Joe Sullivan said in a 2007 story in the Southeast Missourian about Sandy, when you're dealing with grieving families and proud grandparents, you especially do not want errors in the record.

Sandy and I connected early on, when I came to the Southeast Missourian in 2010. You might say she was my adopted grandmother. We would go out to eat on birthdays and special occasions (but no Greek yogurt), talk about our dogs and Cardinals baseball. (She was a big Mike Matheny and Yadier Molina fan.)

She loved her family and shared stories about the latest thing the grandchildren did or would reminisce about her daughter Laurie's childhood.

We'd talked about different challenges in life. She prayed for me daily. Out of everything she did for me, her prayers meant the most.

On Easter Sunday after church, Sandy joined me, my mother and a few mutual friends for dinner. Around Christmas we exchanged gifts. Sandy enjoyed the fellowship. So did I.

Several co-workers at the newspaper shared their thoughts about Sandy this week. Many revolved around her love for animals, especially her dogs. She regularly brought treats and toys for our furry friends, or something she thought we might like personally. She brought in low-carb treats for those with diabetes. She collected coupons for people when she found out the things they liked.

She always greeted people with a good morning or hello -- regardless of position, power or prestige.

Sports writer Jeff Breer said it was the thoughtful little ways she would brighten your day by extending well wishes or saying happy Father's Day.

The news editor on the copy desk appreciated her friendly but down-to-business approach. Reporter Savanna Maue discussed this quality, too -- and the hint of sass Sandy would add sometimes.

"Last Friday the office celebrated my 22nd birthday," Maue said. "I got my balloon and my birthday treat and Sandy casually asked how old I was. When I responded, instead of the casual 'Happy Birthday' most people would give, Sandy gave a short laugh and just said, 'That's disgusting.' I couldn't help but laugh. ... For the rest of the day that made me smile, and, now, thinking back, I'm glad that's one of the last memories I have of her. Her sass often provided the newsroom with a smile."

Maue also said Sandy's attention to detail made her better at handling obituaries when she was out of the office. Quite frankly, it made us all better at our jobs.

"I had great respect for the respect with which Sandy handled her duties, ensuring that 'the last word' about someone's life, an obituary, was accurate and precise," co-worker Nancy Hadler said in an email. "Many times I heard her conversations with funeral homes, questioning their submissions to ensure everything added up -- dates, lists of relatives, etc."

Banner Press managing editor Linda Redeffer, like many others, connected with Sandy through a mutual love for pets. When I was looking for a new home for my two cats, Sandy knew Linda, whose cat recently died, would be interested.

"She knew they needed a home, and she knew I needed two cats. Worked out perfectly. That's what friends do," Redeffer said. "She was a loving, gracious lady. I'll miss her."

The Rust family has a long history with Sandy. She was one of the first employees at the Bulletin Journal for Gary Rust Sr., chairman of the board of Rust Communications. Sons Gary II, Jon and Rex Rust grew up with Sandy on staff. The family has fond memories of her. Gary II said he worked with her at the Bulletin Journal as he finished high school. "A kind soul -- forever a member of our newspaper family. Rest in peace," he said.

The list of stories continues. I know there are many more, especially from those in the newspaper's Club 25. This is a group of employees who worked for the company 25 years or more and even after retirement are invited to special newspaper events.

You might say Sandy was an empty cup. She poured everything she had into her family, her pets and life in general. She loved people. And we loved her. That's what I'll miss most about my friend.

Lucas Presson is the general manager of rustmedia and a member of the Southeast Missourian editorial board.