Reuben Saul Riskind

Reuben Riskind RISKIND REUBEN RISKIND VITA March 28, 1919 March 22, 2010 Reuben Saul Riskind, died in Eagle Pass on March 22, 2010. A merchant, he was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, March 28,1919, to Michael and Rachel Edelstein Riskind. After completing his high school education in Los Angeles, he returned to Texas where he attended the University of Texas at Austin from 1938-1941. On July 6, 1941, he married Esther Swirce in Mercedes, Texas. Their children are David Herschel, Miriam Judith and Dan Joel. During World War II, he served with the United States Army Air Force from 1941 -1945. He was attached to the Third Air Force where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was attached to the 10th Air Force in CBI (China, Burma, India Theater) where he attained the rank of Tech Sergeant. By the end of World War II, Riskind was stationed in China where troops were awaiting deployment to China and Japan. Returning from the service in 1945, he joined his Father, Michael Riskind at M. Riskind, Inc., in Eagle Pass. Texas. He worked in all areas of the business. He served as Vice-President from 1945-1976, as President of the 21 Shop in Eagle Pass from 1964-1976, the Coed Shop in McAllen, Texas, 1967-1976, and President of M. Riskind, Inc. from 1976-1990. He served as Chairman of the Board from 1990. He was also a Director of the First National Bank, Eagle Pass. Texas. He was an active member of the Eagle Pass community. He participated in the Rotary Club, Maverick County Planned Parenthood, 1969-1970. In 1964, Riskind was appointed Chairman of the Wintergarden Tri-County Office of Economic Opportunity, part of the War on Poverty, where he served until 1966. He served on the Board of Directors for the Maverick County United Fund, 1969-1970, and served as Chairman of the Eagle Pass Planning and Zoning Commission from 1969-1970. He served as a member of the Board of Directors, Region. 20, Education Service Center from 1978-1998, and was Vice-Chairman from 1996-1998. He met with educators from throughout the United States to learn new methods of instruction. Riskind was a life-long award winning tennis player. As a young man living in Los Angeles, he observed people playing tennis and decided he wanted to play. He began playing in tournaments throughout Southern California, winning trophies and tournaments beginning in 1932. He continued playing and winning throughout his high school years. He moved to Texas, where his Father, Michael Riskind, had his business, M. Riskind, Inc. and began to work in the store. One day in 1938, he read of a tennis tournament to be held in San Antonio, and at the last minute, he entered the tournament. While he played in the tournament, he was observed by Dr. Daniel Allen Penick, the tennis coach for the University of Texas tennis team. After the tournament, Dr. Penick approached Riskind and suggested he attend the University of Texas and join the tennis team. Riskind did. In 1939, Riskind, now a member of the men's tennis team, won his first letter. He won letters in 1940 and 1941, along with numerous awards and tournaments. During his time in the Army Air Force, Riskind played in and won tournaments throughout Florida. He won the Tampa City Tennis Championship every year he entered the tournament. He was referred to by sports writers in Tampa, Florida as "the Texas Tornado" for his skill on the court. It was their opinion that had it not been for the War, Riskind's name would have been high in the national rankings. After World War II and his return to Eagle Pass, he offered coaching lessons to children and adults. His fee: a donation to a charitable organization. In the 1970's he began playing in tournaments in Texas on the Senior Tennis Circuit, winning the Men's Singles at such events as the River Oaks Senior Invitational Tournament, the Westwood Country Club Invitational, and State Championship held at various sites in Texas. He was ranked Number 1 in Texas in the Men's age 55, 60, 65 brackets as well as the Men's 70 and 75 brackets. He is survived by his loving family: his wife of 68 years, Esther; his son David, wife, Peggy Maceo; granddaughters Rachel Riskind and Sarafina Maceo Riskind; son, Dan and his -wife, Mary Flores, and daughter Miriam and her husband, Marc Isenberg. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2010, from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Yeager Barrera Mortuary in Eagle Pass, TX. Mr. Riskind's interment with Military Honors will be on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. In lieu of usual remembrances, the family has a requested that a charitable donation be given to the charity of your choice in his memory. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to: YEAGER BARRERA MORTUARY 1613 DEL RIO BLVD EAGLE PASS, TX 78852 830 773-3211 Published in Express-News on March 25, 2010