Thomas Anthony Ries

Thomas Anthony Ries, 92, passed away in New Orleans on February 11, 2025. Tom was born October 17, 1932, in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Anthony and Grace Ries (Thomas). He graduated from the University of Wyoming and later earned an MBA from the University of Utah. Tom began his career as a musician with the Cheyenne City Band and went on to play string bass and tuba with orchestras led by Don Hoy, Russ Carlyle, Clyde McCoy, Don Glasser and others. He joined the Air Force in 1953, traveling across Europe with the 686th Air Force Band. He went on to a successful career as an international business executive, living in Europe from 1964 to 1987, followed by a third career as a university professor and educator after he returned to Wyoming. He taught International Business in Denver, Cheyenne and Laramie while residing in Woods Landing. Tom spent his final years in New Orleans, where he returned to his love of music and helped found the official band of the New Orleans Deutsche Haus. He continued to travel throughout his life, visiting 110 countries and all fifty U.S. states. Tom’s love of music, travel stories, and sense of humor won him friends in many countries, many of whom he brought on visits to his native Wyoming. Tom is survived by his four daughters Grace M. Arteaga (Jorge), Debbie Ost (Ben), Tonia Ries (Keith), and Alexandra Leach (Mark), his niece Kym Zwonitzer (Dave) and nephew Jim Roth (Sally). Tom cherished his grandchildren, Nina Arteaga, Andy Ost, Tim Carson, Sam Leach, Dante Ost, Kate Leach, Jack Leach, and his great grandson Felipe Carson. Tom is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Charlene Stogsdill. Funeral services will be held at Wiederspahn-Radomsky at 9:00 am on March 22, 2025, followed by an internment at Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a memorial donation to the Deutsches Haus in New Orleans https://deutscheshaus.org/donate