Longtime UL professor passes away

William Rieck, a longtime professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, died Thursday at the age of 73.

Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at Delhomme Funeral Home, according to obituary information.

Rieck had spent the last 25 years as a professor of curriculum and instruction at UL, according to his obituary. Prior to joining the university, he had spent several years as a high school principal.

According to his biography on the UL website, Rieck was the author or co-author on numerous papers and publications, on topics such as testing, principal leadership, helping students with special needs and creating inclusive classrooms.

He was named a UL Distinguished Professor in 2009.

“Bill was a treasured mentor and colleague since I came to UL in 2004,” UL assistant professor Toby Daspit wrote on the Delhomme Funeral Home online condolences page. “I learned so much from him, not only about navigating university life and about teaching and learning, but about life. He was always willing to share his wisdom and insight. And he influenced literally thousands of teachers.”

During his career, Rieck also received numerous grants for research and field work, including a yearly grant for a Future Teachers Day workshop that routinely attracted more than 100 students to campus.

“His high expectations of candidates serves as a guide for them to become highly able teachers in our schools,” said Christine Briggs, then the interim head of Rieck’s department, in 2009, when he received his Distinguished Professor award. “These candidates refer to the experience as pivotal in their teacher preparation process.”

Rieck is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judith Anne Rieck; one daughter, one son and one granddaughter. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in his honor to the UL College of Education. Donations can be made online at louisiana.edu/alumni-donors.