DANIEL F. RIVA Ph.D. (Ret. Col) ROLLINS COLLEGE DEAN WWII HERO

Dayton Beach Shores - Funeral Mass for Dr. Daniel Riva (90) Daytona Beach Shores former Dean of Rollins College Winter Park FL and highly decorated United States Air Force World War II command pilot who died October 22 2008 at home of bone cancer will be 8:30 A.M. Tuesday November 4 2008 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church.

Born in Hartford CT Dr. Riva came to this area in 1967. He graduated from E. Hartford High School in 1936 where he captained the track team in both his junior and senior year. He held a BS from Springfield College Mass and was captain of the cross-country team and recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award. Daniel Riva received his MA from George Washington University Washington D.C.; and a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. While at Rollins College in Winter Park FL 1969-1981 he was Dean of Continuing Education and Professor of Political Science and was cited frequently as a scholar author teacher and administrator. Upon his retirement from Rollins in 1981 Dr. Riva was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws and the permanent rank of Dean Emeritus. In 2007 Dean Riva's son Kyle 79 MSM initiated the Daniel F. Riva Endowed Scholarship Fund in the Rollins College Hamilton Holt School.

From 1941 to 1969 he served with distinction as a pilot in the United States Air Force. As one of the "Boy Colonels" of World War II he commanded the 551st Squadron of the 385th Bombardment Group in the 8th Air Force and led numerous bombing missions from England over Germany and occupied Europe. After WWII Colonel Riva participated in both the occupations of Germany and Japan. From 1948 to 1949 Colonel Riva was Chief of Air Force Operations and Intelligence in the Greek civil war. While in Washington D.C. for six years Colonel Riva spent one year in the Foreign Service Institute Dept of State; was Chief of the International Affairs Division in the USAF Directorate of Plans; and served as administrative secretary in the office of the Secretary of Defense. Between 1958-61 Colonel Riva commanded Itazuke Air Base in politically sensitive southern Japan and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure. Some of Colonel Riva's military decorations include the Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (twice) several Air Medals Commendation Medal (twice) Presidential Unit Citation and the Gold Cross from King Paul of Greece.

Dan loved the 30 years spent serving his country as an Air Force pilot. He also loved his family and dear friends and treasured the time they could spend together. Most of all he counted every second he could be with his wife Kimiko as a special gift from God.

Survivors include his wife the former Kimiko Hiraki of Japan; sons Richard and his wife Sharri Scottsdale AZ and Kyle and his wife Becky Winter Park FL; daughter Linda Celebration FL; brother Vincent Miami FL; sister Henrietta Boston MA and grandson Alexander Winter Park FL.

Daniel Riva will be cremated and buried with honors in the Arlington National Cemetery Arlington VA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Hospice of Flagler/Volusia 3800 Woodbriar Trail Port Orange FL 32129 or Rollins College for The Daniel F. Riva Endowed Scholarship at Rollins College Hamilton Holt School 203 East Lyman Avenue Winter Park Florida 32789.