United States Army Colonel Edmund “Beau” Riely passed away May 3, 2023 after a long fought battle with a very rare cancerous brain tumor.
Riely remained on active duty for 10 years after his initial cancer diagnosis, serving over 27 years in total, 18 of which were active duty. He finished his impressive career as a faculty member at the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., having previously served as an Army Battalion Commander at the Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, Georgia. Riely also served on a HQ staff overseas, and earned a Bronze Star for his service in Afghanistan.
Riely was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and raised in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. He attended Archbishop Stepinac High School where he was captain of both the football and lacrosse teams. It was also during this time that he met the love of his life, who would later become his wife, Renie. Riely continued to play football at the college level and was also a part of the ROTC program at Georgetown University. It was through the ROTC program that he received his commission and began his military career with the 82nd Airborne Division. After completing his undergraduate studies, Riely went on to earn a Masters of Business Administration Degree from the University of Maryland and also attended the U.S. Army Ranger School, where he excelled and earned a spot as a distinguished officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. Riely also had the distinct privilege of attending the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Riely will be remembered as an extremely humble and hardworking man who was always genuine, loyal, and dedicated to doing the right thing. He enjoyed spending his free time with his wife and four children, coaching his children’s sports teams, and teaching Sunday School alongside his wife, Renie.
United States Army Colonel Edmund “Beau” Riely is survived by his wife, Renie, daughter Meg, and three sons, Connor, Jack, and Luke. Riely is preceded in death by his son, Christian.