Ron Riek’s Aviation Support Legacy Recalled After Sauk County Plane Crash

Ron Riek, a respected pilot and businessman from Woodville, Wisconsin, was among six people killed when a small plane crashed in Sauk County on Tuesday, October 13. Known for his aviation experience and contributions to his community, Riek leaves behind a legacy that extended beyond his business and love of flying. His death has brought sadness to Wisconsin’s aviation community, where friends and colleagues are mourning a man remembered for his generosity and commitment to others.

The crash occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. in a densely wooded area in the town of Dellona, near Mirror Lake State Park. The Piper PA-46 Malibu was returning from Kenosha to Menomonie when it went down. Five adults and one child were aboard, and authorities confirmed that all six occupants died at the scene. The tragedy left multiple families grieving and communities across Wisconsin searching for answers about what happened that night.

Riek, 63, was an experienced aviator who also built a successful warehousing and distribution business. Federal Aviation Administration records showed that he held an airline transport pilot rating, reflecting extensive training and experience. His work and aviation interests connected him with people across the region, while his business helped establish his place in the Woodville community. Those who knew him now remember both his professional accomplishments and the personal relationships he built over the years.

Menomonie Airport Commission Chairman Daniel Johnson, who had known Riek for decades, paid tribute to him during a public meeting after the crash. Johnson described Riek as a good man and a highly experienced pilot, emphasizing the devastating nature of the loss. His remarks reflected the close ties within the local aviation community, where pilots and aviation supporters often know one another through years of shared experience, friendship, and a common passion for flying.

Riek’s community involvement was especially evident after another fatal aviation accident affected the Menomonie area. According to reports, he helped organize a fundraising effort for the three young children of a couple who died in that earlier crash. That effort offered practical support to a family facing a sudden and painful loss. His willingness to help others during their hardest moments has become part of the story people are sharing as they remember him following this latest tragedy.

The other people killed were identified as Tyler J. Harvey, 36, of Cadott, and four members of one family: Mary K. Brion, 67, her daughters Amanda M. Haremza, 45, and Kayla C. Turpin, 39, and Haremza’s 13-year-old son, Rylan. Their deaths have compounded the grief surrounding the crash, with four relatives lost in the same incident. Each victim leaves behind loved ones whose lives have been profoundly changed.

Investigators are examining the circumstances of the crash. Preliminary information from the National Transportation Safety Board indicates that the pilot reported icing on the aircraft at 24,000 feet and requested permission to descend. Air traffic control approved the request, after which the plane entered a descending right turn that increased in rate before communications and tracking data were lost. The NTSB is leading the investigation, and the final cause has not yet been established.

For Riek’s family, friends, employees, and fellow aviators, the loss is deeply personal. His support for families affected by earlier aviation tragedies gives added meaning to the tributes now being shared in his memory. While investigators continue working to understand the crash, those who knew Riek are left to remember his experience, generosity, and service to his community. His influence will live on through the people he helped and the lives he touched.