Ernest Charles Riker

Ernest Charles Riker, 67, of Tuscarawas, died Monday, June 20, 2005 at his home following a lengthy illness.A son of Elizabeth Betty (Farkas) Riker and the late Ernest W. Riker, Ernest was born September 27, 1937 in New Philadelphia.Ernest was a student at St. Fidelis College and Seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania and graduated with a BA in Philosophy in 1959. He was an aspirant to the Capuchin Franciscan Order as a Catholic priest. While a student at St. Francis Friary in Washington D.C. with the name, Geoffrey, he abandoned his aspirations in 1961 and enlisted in the United States Army where he was trained as a counter-intelligence agent. He served overseas in Europe until 1965. Ernest had attained the rank of Staff Sergeant when he was honorably discharged from the service.He returned to New Philadelphia and worked as an investigator for Retail Credit Inc. until he moved to Dayton where he trained as a computer programmer. In 1967 he moved to Arlington, Virginia when he was accepted into the Central Intelligence Agency. While in the CIA, Ernest served as an operations officer in Europe and Southeast Asia. He was awarded an intelligence medal after he resigned in 1978.Ernest then moved to Houston, Texas where he was associated with Stan Lewis & Associates Inc. and Castorani & Crowley Inc. as a private investigator for 22 years. After his resignation in 2001 he again returned to New Philadelphia and retired due to poor health.As a life long member of the Roman Catholic Church, Ernest attended Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia.In his earlier years, Ernest enjoyed running marathons and sailing. Having been a race car driver, he was a 25 year member of the Sports Car Club of America. He was also a member of the former Intelligence Officers Association.He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Betty Riker of Roswell; two brothers, David M. (Carol) Riker of New Philadelphia and Fred S. ((Linda) Riker of Dennison; three sisters, Betty L. (Jay) Huffman of New Philadelphia, Mary A. (Floyd) Rothacher of Dennison and Karen M. (Steve) Gloeckner of Dover; eight nieces and nephews; and 14 great-nieces and great-nephews. Ernest was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Robert Riker.In keeping with Ernest’s wishes, his body will be donated to the College of Osteopathic Medicine of Ohio University in Athens. A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in New Philadelphia with Monsignor George Schlegel officiating. A memorial reception will be held at the Geib Family Center in New Philadelphia following the Mass.Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663 or Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622 or American Lung Association, 6100 Rockside Woods Parkway, Suite 260, Independence, OH 44131.