Richard “Skip” Riser
Age 77, of Canton, passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. He was born Dec. 23, 1944 in Allegheny County, PA, a son of the late Roy and Carrie (Hobson) Riser, and had been a Canton resident most of his life. Skip was a 1962 graduate of Lehman High School where he played baseball with Thurman Munson. He was retired from First Energy after 10 years as a computer operator, and previously worked for Republic Steel 35 years. He never complained about his eleven year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He especially loved his feline rescues. Skip has loved baseball his entire life, and then started playing on the Canton Masters, a 50-over team. Then in 2008 he founded the Ohio MSBL (Mens Senior Baseball League) with current CEO Joe Sidor, and immediately took on all the back-office and financial activities. In 2018, for his dedication he was honored by induction into the 2018 class of the MSBL National Hall of Fame. Skip grew this remarkable league to 26 teams in five divisions and is one of the premier leagues in the country. He retired from actively playing in 2017. He was a pitcher and played for the 45-over Ohio Diamondbacks, 55-0ver Canton Sidewinders, and the 60-over Canton Coyotes. Skip has a long history of playing in the MSLB World Series with the 65-0ver Ohio Classics, and a personal highlight was winning the 2012 MSBL World Series in Arizona. Skip was very appreciative of the award he received and said, “Thanks to the many outstanding players and managers I’ve played with or managed through the years. The MSBL has allowed me to develop lasting friendships with some amazing personalities. The comradery and support have been very rewarding.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Kristine Riser, on Nov. 20, 2007, and a brother-in-law, Phillip Arnold. He is survived by his wife, Jane B. (Arnold) Riser, with whom he celebrated their 29th Wedding Anniversary on Nov. 7, 2021, his daughter, Kim (Mike) White, two grandchildren, Jake and Abby White, his mother-in-law, Marie Arnold, brother-in-law, Jeffrey (Sue) Arnold, and many cousins. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of Mercy Hospital for the special care they showed to Skip.
A Celebration of Life will be held Monday from 5-7 p.m. at Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with Rod Geiger speaking at 7 p.m. Interment will be in North lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Skip’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or online at: www.michaeljfox.org/donate, for Parkinson’s research; or any animal rescue organization. Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com
Gordon (330) 456-4766
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