Colonel James Robert Riser, U.S. Army (Retired)

Colonel James Robert Riser, U.S. Army (Retired), 81, peacefully passed away on June 8, 2026 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on November 21, 1944 in San Pedro, CA, Jim was the youngest son of the late John and June Riser. He was raised in Washington, D.C. with his late brothers Charles and John, and later graduated in 1963 from Augusta Military Academy in Fort Defiance, VA. Jim continued his education at Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University), where he was a proud member of The Pershing Rifles and a Theta Chi brother. In 1967, he earned a B.A. in English and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence for the United States Army.

Jim led a distinguished 27-year Army career, marked by leadership and honor. He served in a multitude of assignments, many command and staff positions, including two tours with the 101st Airborne Division (Vietnam and Fort Campbell, KY), two tours with the 1st Armored Division (Fort Hood, TX and Germany), and one tour with the 2nd Infantry Division (Korea). He was an instructor at The Infantry School in Fort Benning, GA, and a Commander of the 101st Military Intelligence Battalion in Fort Riley, KS. His later assignments included Chief of the Electronic Warfare Division, J3, The Joint Staff at The Pentagon, with adjunct duties as U.S. Delegate to NATO for Electronic Warfare and Directed Energy Matters; Chief of Staff of the National Military Intelligence Center; and Executive to the Director at the Defense Intelligence Agency. In the private sector, Jim built on his intelligence career as Director of Army Mission Systems and Requirements for BAE Systems, providing expertise in technology development and competitive responses to critical Army technology needs. He also served as a member of the board of directors for Synectics Corporation and then as Operations Director for BAE Systems Information Technology.

Jim was always quietly humble about his remarkable military accomplishments. Over the span of his career he earned the Defense Superior Service Medal (the second-highest military decoration awarded by the Department of Defense), the Bronze Star, the United States Legion of Merit Medal, the United States National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with two OLC, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He is a graduate of the Airborne and Ranger Courses, Armor Officer Basic Courses, Military Intelligence Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Electronic Warfare Course. He received a Masters in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University in 1975 and graduated with distinction from the Advanced Studies program at the Naval War College in Newport, RI, in 1987.

Jim was loved for his easy charm and quick, dry wit. While quietly pensive by nature, Jim had a booming laugh and knew how to have fun. There wasn’t a stranger he met that he couldn’t immediately put at ease with a joke. He was a voracious reader, always interested in learning more, and had a deep appreciation for history and other cultures. He had an incredible green thumb, never met a dog or baby he didn’t adore, and was meticulous with his cars. He loved to dance to Motown music, enjoyed a glass of good red wine, never said no to a sweet treat after dinner, and happily cheered on any Maryland Terps game. A perfect day for Jim would be spent in the sun on the beach with his family, fishing, body surfing, and sitting in his chair, one leg slung over the arm, with a good book in his hand.

Jim found his greatest success in life when he was promoted to Pop-Pop. He spent his few years in retirement enjoying precious time with his family and friends in West Chester, PA, and on the beaches of Ocean City, NJ, and Lewes, DE. As a result of his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 and spent the final years of his life at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, where he was cared for with the utmost kindness, dignity, and respect. In the saddest of days, when he lost his memory and his speech, Jim could always be found in his signature crinkly-eyed smile.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Susan (née Brown) of West Chester, PA; his loving daughters Catherine Davis (Jim) of Bowling Green, KY, and Christy Turner (Stephen) of West Chester, PA; and his five adoring grandchildren: Annie, Holly, and Cole Turner and Maggie and Charlotte Davis.

A funeral service with full military honors will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester, PA, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 11:00 am, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am. (Interment will be privately held at Washington Crossing National Cemetery the following day.) All family and friends are invited to attend a luncheon immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Jim’s honor to the Coatesville VA Medical Center. Supporting veterans was so important to Jim and any donations of money, goods, or time is one small way we can thank him and other veterans for their selfless service to our country. Rangers Lead the Way! 

https://www.va.gov/coatesville-health-care/work-with-us/volunteer-or-donate/