Bernard Eric Riesen, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on December 1, 2023, at the age of 74. He was born in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, on August 31, 1949.
Bernie’s life was full of love, learning, and laughter. As an electrical engineer, he helped to pioneer heart imaging techniques and later worked to repair blood diagnostic equipment in New England hospitals through Siemens. He had an insatiable curiosity and a love of good conversation, graphic novels and crossword puzzles. His warm and gentle nature led him to make friends wherever he went.
Bernie found joy in creating beautiful things with his hands, often tinkering in his workshop to create something special for those he loved. He laughed often and well, and was a man of great principle and patience. He offered his unconditional love and acceptance to everyone he met.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister. Bernard’s legacy lives on through his loving wife of 32 years, Fabienne Bernadette Riesen, his daughter Alicia Poptani, her husband Mohamed, and their daughters Amelia and Maeve of Cambridge, Massachusetts; his son Guillaume Riesen, his wife Sarah Taylor-Cavelier of Denver, Colorado; and his Fresh Air son, Trevor Njoku of the Bronx, New York City.
His family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Joel A. Garcia-Fernandez for his compassionate care and support during Bernie’s passing.
Bernie’s life will be celebrated in a way that honors his spirit: with stories, laughter, and the sharing of memories that will keep his light shining in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Artists for Peace and Justice (apjnow.org), or The Fresh Air Fund (https://freshair.org/) causes close to his heart. As Bernie would say, “Love and Peace. Keep on trucking.”
We will be having a celebration of his life and our story with our neighbors in front of our house on January 7, at 6:30 p.m. local time.