Family helps Michigan bowler celebrate 50 years at 2016 OC
April 25, 2016
By Matt Cannizzaro and Christian Seaborn
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Richard Ried of Mason, Michigan, proudly marched down Center Aisle at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Sunday, marking his 50th year of participation in the event.
It all began at the 1963 USBC Open Championships in Buffalo, New York - as a substitute bowler.
When he made that first appearance on the biggest stage in bowling, he did not have any aspirations of reaching the milestone he celebrated this week at the National Bowling Stadium.
"I had no idea it would turn into the wonderful dream that it has become," said Ried, who received a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin to commemorate the milestone. "It still seems like a dream."
For Ried, 78, the most cherished aspect over the five decades has been the opportunity to enjoy the game with his family, which began with his wife, Rheda. The two are in their 58th year of marriage and have two children, Patricia and Thomas, who started bowling under the guidance of their father, a junior bowling coach, when they were 8 and 9 years old.
With the children reaching adulthood, the bowling family expanded, first with Patricia's husband, Michael Miller, and then their son, Taylor Miller.
Patricia, Thomas, Michael and Taylor all were bowling on the lanes with Ried on Sunday, while Rheda enthusiastically supported them from the stands. Minutes before, Patricia and Thomas helped escort Ried down Center Aisle and into the event's 50-Year Club.
Ried also notes that his son is a mere 15 Open Championships away from celebrating his own 50th appearance. Patricia competed for the third time this year, Michael Miller reached 20 years of participation and Taylor Miller made his tournament debut.
Ried initially found his love of bowling when he was 14 years old.
"I started myself," said Ried, who owns two perfect games and now bowls regularly at Mason's City Limits Bowling Center. "I was setting pins in an eight-lane bowling center at 8 cents a game. Setting the pins was what originally got me interested in bowling."
While there have been many cherished memories in his 50 years at the Open Championships, Ried's favorite moment came at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when the right-hander bowled 667 in team, 631 in singles and 607 in doubles for a career-best all-events total of 1,905.
Ried and his wife enjoy traveling and sightseeing, too. The tournament has allowed them to see many parts of the country they probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Of the 20 states they have been to because of the Open Championships, Ried says he has enjoyed the western parts of the country the best.
While bowling certainly is an important component to Ried's life, he also is an avid volunteer in Michigan, giving his time to the local hospital in Lansing and working with youth as a speech language teacher.
As a great-grandfather, Ried's great-grandchildren also keep him busy as he follows and supports their wealth of sporting interests.
This year at the Open Championships, Ried rolled sets of 434 in team, 417 in singles and 400 doubles for a 1,251 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 81,058 pins for a career average of 180.1.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. - Richard Ried of Mason, Michigan, proudly marched down Center Aisle at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Sunday, marking his 50th year of participation in the event.
It all began at the 1963 USBC Open Championships in Buffalo, New York - as a substitute bowler.
When he made that first appearance on the biggest stage in bowling, he did not have any aspirations of reaching the milestone he celebrated this week at the National Bowling Stadium.
"I had no idea it would turn into the wonderful dream that it has become," said Ried, who received a plaque, chevron and special lapel pin to commemorate the milestone. "It still seems like a dream."
For Ried, 78, the most cherished aspect over the five decades has been the opportunity to enjoy the game with his family, which began with his wife, Rheda. The two are in their 58th year of marriage and have two children, Patricia and Thomas, who started bowling under the guidance of their father, a junior bowling coach, when they were 8 and 9 years old.
With the children reaching adulthood, the bowling family expanded, first with Patricia's husband, Michael Miller, and then their son, Taylor Miller.
Patricia, Thomas, Michael and Taylor all were bowling on the lanes with Ried on Sunday, while Rheda enthusiastically supported them from the stands. Minutes before, Patricia and Thomas helped escort Ried down Center Aisle and into the event's 50-Year Club.Ried also notes that his son is a mere 15 Open Championships away from celebrating his own 50th appearance. Patricia competed for the third time this year, Michael Miller reached 20 years of participation and Taylor Miller made his tournament debut.
Ried initially found his love of bowling when he was 14 years old.
"I started myself," said Ried, who owns two perfect games and now bowls regularly at Mason's City Limits Bowling Center. "I was setting pins in an eight-lane bowling center at 8 cents a game. Setting the pins was what originally got me interested in bowling."
While there have been many cherished memories in his 50 years at the Open Championships, Ried's favorite moment came at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when the right-hander bowled 667 in team, 631 in singles and 607 in doubles for a career-best all-events total of 1,905.
Ried and his wife enjoy traveling and sightseeing, too. The tournament has allowed them to see many parts of the country they probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Of the 20 states they have been to because of the Open Championships, Ried says he has enjoyed the western parts of the country the best.
While bowling certainly is an important component to Ried's life, he also is an avid volunteer in Michigan, giving his time to the local hospital in Lansing and working with youth as a speech language teacher.
As a great-grandfather, Ried's great-grandchildren also keep him busy as he follows and supports their wealth of sporting interests.
This year at the Open Championships, Ried rolled sets of 434 in team, 417 in singles and 400 doubles for a 1,251 all-events total. In 50 tournament appearances, he has knocked down 81,058 pins for a career average of 180.1.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.