Resolution in Memoriam:
The Board of Trustees of The Ohio State University expresses its sorrow upon the death on January 26 1982, of John W. Riner, Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Mathematics.
Professor Riner was born in Kanses City, Missouri, on July 29, 1924. His collegiate education was interrupted by World War II; he served on the front lines in France both before and after receiving a Purple Heart as a U. S. Army Corporal. He completed his B.S. degree at Rockhurst College in 1947. The University of Notre Dame awarded him a M.S. degree in 1949 and a Ph.D. degree with the Mathematical specialty Topology in 1953.
Professor Riner held Assistant Professor of Mathematics positions at St. Peters College from 1953 to 1956 and at St. Louis University from 1956 to 1959. He joined the Mathematics Department at The Ohio State University in 1959 as an Assistant Professor, was promoted in 1963 to an Associate Professor, and was promoted in 1970 to Professor. He has served the Department of Mathematics as Vice-Chairman continuously since 1970.
Professor Riner pioneered the development of television instruction of Mathematics in the 1960's, allowing The Ohio State University to teach mathematics to 8,000 students with only 20 faculty during a time of expansion. He also led the Curriculum Revision in Mathematics at the Elementary Level (CRIMEL) program which gained national attention as an efficient means of providing individualized paced mathematics in a modular mode to large numbers of students. He gave several invited addresses to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and to the Mathematical Association of America on this CRIMEL program.
Professor Riner developed a liberal arts mathematics course which was especially popular in the 1970's with humanities students. He also developed a remediation program to make our Mathematics program accessible to any conscientious OSU student, regardless of preparation.
During the summers of 1965 through 1974, Professor Riner directed the National Science Foundation Institute for High School Teachers at OSU. He had been the faculty advisor for many years of The Ohio State University Sports Car Club.
Professor Riner was presented the prestigious Rosalene Sedgwick Faculty Service Award by OSU's Colleges of Arts and Sciences in 1982. He authored or coauthored four textbooks for precalculus students or business students. He also published several articles. Professor Riner was a member of Sigma Xi and of the American Mathematical Society. He was listed in American Men of Science.
On behalf of the University, the Board of Trustees expresses to the family its deep sympathy and sense of understanding at its loss. It was directed that this resolution be inscribed upon the minutes of the Board of Trustees and that a copy be tendered to the family as a humble expression of the Board's heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement.
The following obituary appeared in the Columbus Dispatch January 27, 1982.
RINER
John W. Riner, age 57, of 5404 Hollister St., Columbus, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1982, University Hospital. Professor and Vice-Chairman, Dept. of Mathematics, Ohio State University. Survived by wife, LaVella, of the residence; son, John W. Riner III; daughter, Christine Riner Lester, Philip A. Riner, Peter E. Rifler, Anne Riner Morris; 4 grandchildren; sister, Noma Schoneman, Houston, Texas; brother, Ronald Riner, Shawnee, Kansas. Member of American Men in Science. Funeral service 10 a.m. Thursday RUTHERFORD-CORBIN CHAPEL, 515 High St., Worthington, where friends may call 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. Pastor Robert M. Russell of North Minister United Presbyterian Church officiating. Interment Union Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Columbus Cancer Clinic.
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