H. John Riley Jr.
On his journey from his first job in a corporate mailroom to the executive suite, H. John Riley Jr. ’61 often credited the education and opportunities he received at Syracuse University for his success. His gratitude shaped his approach to both service and philanthropy at his alma mater. Riley was still serving as a life trustee and co-chair of the Forever Orange Campaign and its $1.5 billion goal when he passed away on June 1, 2024, at the age of 83.
“John was incredibly thoughtful and generous in all things, including his support for Syracuse University,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “John was committed to ensuring meaningful student experiences—in and out of the classroom—were accessible to all Syracuse students. His philanthropy opened doors and carved paths of opportunity for engineering students to succeed in the business world, just as he had over his lifetime.”
The 2017 endowed gift from John and Diane Riley establishing the H. John Riley Dual Degree Engineering/MBA Program was designed to give Syracuse University students the opportunity to set themselves apart. Earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering along with an MBA in five years prepares students to make an immediate impact.
“John recognized that successful business executives understand multiple disciplines and that it was important for students to have both theoretical and experiential learning in interdisciplinary ways of thinking,” says J. Cole Smith, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS). Since the dual degree program’s inception, it has drawn high-achieving students to both ECS and the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and helped carve a path that was so important to Riley’s own career success.
Riley was the first in his family to go to college, an opportunity made possible with a scholarship from The Gifford Foundation. He was only 16 when he graduated as valedictorian from his high school. After four years of riding the bus from his parent’s home on Syracuse’s North Side to campus and back, Riley earned a degree in industrial engineering. During college, he worked in the mail room of Crouse-Hinds, the electrical products manufacturing company that Riley once described as a “kind of family affair.” His father, three sisters and brother all worked there for a time.
Shortly after graduation, Riley entered a training program at General Electric, but eventually returned to Crouse-Hinds where he rose through the ranks, given more executive responsibilities as the company grew and acquired other firms. Riley, who also completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, eventually became the CEO of Cooper Industries, the multi-billion-dollar parent of Crouse-Hinds. The Riley family moved to Houston, Texas, where Cooper was headquartered.
Still, the loyal alumnus never left Syracuse University far behind. Riley was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 2004 and served as a voting trustee until 2016. He served on the Audit and Risk and Student Experience Committees and chaired the Student Experience Committee from 2008-2012. He also served as a lifetime member of the Whitman Advisory Council. In 2019, he was recognized with the Dritz Life Trustee Award. When he died he was serving as tri-chair of the National Campaign Executive Committee for the Forever Orange Campaign, alongside trustees Patricia Mautino ’64, G’66, and Michael Thonis ’72.
“John was an exemplary alumnus and trustee,” says Board Chairman Jeff Scruggs. “He was laser-focused on ensuring that the University had the vision, guidance and resources to meet the evolving needs of our students, faculty and staff. He will be sorely missed.”
At his funeral mass at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Houston, Riley’s daughter Beth recalled that her father never missed a Board meeting or an event at his alma mater. “How did he accomplish so much? Well, my dad had a no-nonsense way about him that cherished truth over fanfare, responsibility over impulsiveness, long-term value over short-term gain.” She said he taught his children to be curious and empathetic, to “do it once and do it right. He was a great man and lived a great life.”
Throughout their marriage, Riley and his wife were generous in their time and financial contributions to many organization. They established the H. John and Diane M. Riley Family Fund when he retired in 2006, directing their philanthropy to education, health, welfare and civic improvement. Major beneficiaries include Syracuse University, the Women’s Home, Baylor Breast Center, Discovery Green, the Hobby Center, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, the MV Preservation Trust, the MV Youth Scholarship fund and many others. The Rileys have chaired many major fundraising events: the United Negro College Fund, the Star of Hope, Houston Grand Opera, Ronald McDonald House and the Women’s Home.
The Rileys have supported many other initiatives at Syracuse University, including in ECS, the Whitman School, Syracuse University Athletics and the Winnick Hillel Center for Jewish Life. The family has requested that memorial contributions be directed to the H. John and Diane M. Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program Scholarship Fund.
Riley is survived by his wife of 60 years, Diane; his daughter, Beth (Marcus) St. Raymond; Thomas (Dr. Lizabeth) Riley; and Patrick ’90 (Beatrice) Riley; seven grandchildren, Emma and Charlotte St. Raymond; Matthew Riley, Megan Riley ’24 and Tristan Riley ’26; and John and Connor Riley.
