We occasionally have enquiries about the Riehle Foundation. Since this organization was based across the street from my family’s home I do know a bit about it, so this page combines personal knowledge of Ray and Eleanor Riehle with information drawn from available published sources. We would like to hear from others who might be able to help, especially if someone has more photos or would like to take enquiries about the Foundation.
Foundation
The Riehle Foundation was founded by Ray and Eleanor Riehle at their farm on Route 50, southeast of Milford, Ohio (see location) in November 1976 . Ray had been inspired by the writings of Father “Bebe Reynolds, an oil tycoon turned Benedictine priest, teacher and writer. Ray was so inspired by Father Reynolds’ autobiography that he purchased additional copies for distribution. This expanded to additional writings with the formation of his Foundation.
Ray (Raymond Ralph Riehle • 1897- 1985) and Eleanor (Eleanora Louise Nordman • 1902-1985) were long-time residents of their community. Ray’s grandfather and Immigrant Ancestor, Clemens Riehle, arrived from Wagshurst, Baden in the 1850s and established himself on his farm in Perintown by the end of that decade. Ray and his father, Frank, were both born on that farm, which is still in the family today. Ray and Eleanor’s farm was about a mile west or Clemens’s farm.
Operations
Ray and Eleanor Riehle established the foundation in November 1976 as a lay Catholic initiative focused on promoting prayer, devotion, and spiritual education. Their work was rooted in personal commitment rather than institutional affiliation, and much of the foundation’s activity was carried out from their home. The Foundation functioned primarily as a small religious publishing and distribution ministry with distribution largely handled through mail order. Its work included:
- Publishing and distributing Catholic devotional books and pamphlets
- Promoting Eucharistic adoration and personal prayer practices
- Circulating materials related to Marian devotion and reported apparitions
- Supporting lay spiritual formation through accessible printed works
After Ray and Eleanor passed away in 1985 the work of the foundation was continued by their daughter, Frances Riehle Reck and her husband, William Reck. In 1990 they formed the Faith Publishing Company to provide distribution to religious bookstores. They were also involved in the monthly publication, Blue Letter.
Publications
Over several decades, the foundation produced and distributed a range of devotional works. Among the more widely circulated titles were:
- An Hour With Jesus — a guide to Eucharistic adoration
- The Gold Book of Prayers — a compilation of traditional Catholic prayers
- Translations and writings related to Marian apparitions, including works associated with theologian René Laurentin
Frances Reck died in December 1994 and William followed in December 1996. Many Riehle Foundation publications continued to circulate through other Catholic ministries after the foundation’s active period, including Marian Books and Tapes which specifically acknowledges their continuation of the work of the Riehle Foundation. Some titles are also available on Amazon.
Legacy
The Riehle Foundation stands as an example of how individual members of the Riehle family contributed to religious and cultural life beyond their immediate communities. While relatively small in scale, its publications reached a wide audience and remain in circulation in various forms today.
Photo and discussion about the Foundation taken from Riehle Family History – 1697 – 1999 by Dennis Riehle. The photo was enhanced with AI, however we welcome additional (and better) photos of the couple. Additional details were provided through various articles in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
