Jack B. Riismandel - Obituary

t is with great sadness that the family of Jack Bengt Riismandel announce his sudden passing on Saturday, January 1,2022 at the age of 74. The beloved patriarch of the Riismandel family was loved beyond words and will be missed beyond measure. Jack was born June 17, 1947 to Vaino and Elli Riismandel in a displaced person’s camp in Augsburg, Germany during the aftermath of WWII. Jack and his family immigrated to America in 1949 and settled first on a farm in Plano, Illinois. In time, they relocated to Tacoma Park, MD, where Jack graduated from High Point High School in 1965. He then received a Bachelors degree in Business Management in 1970 at the University of Miami, where he also became a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. Jack met his loving wife, Kathy, of 48 years in 1973. After only 6 months, Jack and Kathy married and started their family in 1977. They eventually made Columbia, MD their home in 1978. Jack worked as a Disability Reconsideration Examiner for the Social Security Administration and also served as the Executive Vice President and Acting President of AFGE Local 1923. Jack finally retired after working for the Federal government for 41 years. He was an active member of both the Grunwald Club in Canton and the American Legion Post #226 in Edgewater. Jack will be remembered for his fun-loving spirit, unlimited generosity, strength, and overall positive attitude towards life. He aimed to make people feel welcome, was always available to offer sage advice, and was a true example of someone who tried to enjoy every moment life had to offer. Whether it was vacationing in Florida with his love, boating and fishing with his family and friends or enjoying a bushel of crabs and oysters with a cold beer in hand at Skinny’s, Jack loved being near the water with the warm sun on his face. He cherished the time that he spent with his family at the many timeshares he had, as well as going on golf trips with his “Cohorts in Crime” -Len, Jim, and Chuck. Jack always had a story to tell or a tradition to share about his heritage, as his Estonian roots were extremely important to him. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and cherished the relationships he had with his three children- Kristen, Michael and Timothy. To say that he was proud is an understatement. Above all else, Jack’s most favorite role was being a grandfather. The love that he had for his seven grandchildren had no bounds and he treasured every moment he got to spend with them. Regardless if it meant spending his entire weekend attending various sporting events, you could always count on seeing “Paca Jack” on the sidelines cheering on his grands. His memory will be cherished and kept alive by his adoring wife, Kathleen Mary; daughter, Kristen Eileen Oxendine (Daniel); sons, Michael Bernard (Katie), and Timothy John (Julia); and seven grandchildren, Elli Marie Oxendine, Hank Daniel Oxendine, Jake Andrew Oxendine, Emma Riis Oxendine, Andrew Michael Riismandel, Cooper Vaino Riismandel, and John Henry Riismandel. He is predeceased and now in the loving embrace of his parents Vaino and Elli Riismandel and his son, Andrew John. Family and friends may visit on Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 2pm to 6pm at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. In lieu of flowers the family requests a memorial contribution be made to The Oyster Recovery Partnership Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.