In Memoriam: Hans F. Reiss

From Hoyt Funeral Home.

Hans Fredrick Reiss, 83, New Canaan, died unexpectedly but peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December 23, 2015.

Hans was born to Hans and Ida Reiss on February 9, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Raised in Golden Valley, Minnesota, he spent his formative years working in the family business Reiss Greenhouses. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 1953 and went on to serve two years in the United States Air Force before beginning a career in financial services. Hans joined Peat Marwick and Mitchell (KPMG) in 1954. He made Partner in the Minneapolis office, and became the Managing Partner of the Santa Ana/ Newport Beach, California office in 1971 and Managing Partner of the White Plains, New York/ Stamford, Connecticut office in 1976. Hans retired from KPMG in 1985. He then went on to have his own practice as an estate attorney after graduating from the University of Bridgeport (Quinnipiac University School of Law) in 1987. Hans was still practicing law and providing financial and estate planning services up to the evening of his death. Hans was extremely devoted to his clients. Throughout his life Hans shared his business and financial expertise and sat on numerous non-profit boards including the Westchester Community College Foundation.

Hans wed the love of his life, Helen Schoenberger, in 1953, and celebrated 51 years of marriage at the time of her death in 2004. Hans is survived by their six children, Hans (Richard) Carlsbad California, Tom (Carol) San Jose California, Sharon Closius, Bethel Connecticut, Mark (Judy) Redding Connecticut, Suzie Kocourek (Ed) Mendota Heights, Minnesota, and Paul (Lisa) New Canaan, Connecticut.

Hans took great pride and joy being involved with his family, be it direct relatives, in-laws, or family friends. He was enthusiastically active in his children’s lives and especially enjoyed engaging with his 17 grandchildren and great grandson. Hans had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews and the friends who became part of the Reiss family. In addition to Helen, Hans was preceded in death by his parents, and by his sister Mary Faust and brother Bill.

A viewing will be held Monday, December 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at a future date at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the University of St. Thomas campus, St. Paul, Minnesota, and interment will be at the Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope, Minnesota.

Hans established the Hans & Helen Reiss Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of St. Thomas, and his family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations are sent to the University in care of this scholarship. (Please make checks payable to “University of St. Thomas” and indicate in memo line designation is for “Hans & Helen Reiss Endowed Scholarship” and mail to University of St. Thomas, P.O. Box 64947, St. Paul, MN 55164-0947.

Online donations can be made to: www.GiveToUST.com / Gift Area: Other / Giving Priority: Other / Other Instructions: “Hans & Helen Reiss Endowed Scholarship” / (Enter amount) / Continue. If you have any questions, please contact Joe Plante at (651) 962-6972.) Thank you.