Honoring Dr. Guy F. Riekeman
Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Dr. Guy F. Riekeman
1950 – 2026
*Please RSVP by March 9 at 12:00 p.m.
“At the core of everything, I believe, is a vitalistic truth that humans have a tremendous capacity for creativity, compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness and an insatiable innate drive for relationships.”
-Guy F. Riekeman, D.C.
Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Guy F. Riekeman was a passionate chiropractor, visionary leader and beloved member of the Life University family whose influence on chiropractic education and the broader profession will endure for generations. Across more than five decades of service, he championed principled Chiropractic, vitalistic health and a bold, student‑centered vision of what a university could become.
A second‑generation chiropractor and 1972 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic, Dr. Riekeman served as president of Palmer before answering the call to lead Life University. From 2004 to 2017, as President of Life University, he guided the institution through a crucial period of renewal and expansion, helping to stabilize its future and solidify its standing as the world’s largest single‑campus chiropractic university and a premier center for health sciences education.
After his presidency, he continued to serve as Chancellor and later as Chancellor Emeritus, roles that reflected both his ongoing engagement and the deep respect he held within the University community.
A Life Shaped by Lasting Purpose
At the heart of Dr. Riekeman’s leadership was Life University’s guiding principle of Lasting Purpose: to live an inner‑directed life, to give, to do, to love, to serve, out of one’s own abundance. He not only taught this principle; he embodied it in the way he led, mentored and called others to serve something greater than themselves. He was known as a master teacher of rights and responsibilities, challenging students and colleagues to live with integrity, courage and a deep sense of personal responsibility to their communities and to the world.
Dr. Riekeman’s book, Make Your Life Extraordinary, and his many lectures, seminars and media projects reflected his conviction that every person has within them the capacity to create an extraordinary life. Through story, philosophy and practical challenge, he invited others to expand their vision, to lead with purpose and to contribute their unique “verse” to the ongoing story of humanity and the chiropractic profession.
A Transformational Leader in Chiropractic
Beyond the Life University campus, Dr. Riekeman played a pivotal role in advancing Chiropractic worldwide. His leadership helped expand educational opportunities, strengthen institutions and inspire collaborative initiatives that extended from North America to South America and beyond. He was widely regarded as a fearless visionary who saw the “Big Idea” of Chiropractic – lifetime care, human potential and vitalistic health – and worked tirelessly to bring that vision to life in classrooms, clinics and communities across the globe.
Countless chiropractors trace their professional identity, their commitment to service and their confidence as leaders to encounters with Dr. Riekeman – whether at a Life Leadership Weekend, a “Life in Your City” program, a seminar or a memorable conversation in a hallway or after a lecture. He had a unique ability to see possibility in people and to call it forth with both challenge and encouragement.
A Legacy Woven into Life University
Dr. Riekeman’s legacy at Life University is woven into the fabric of the institution – its mission, its culture of Lasting Purpose, its commitment to Vitalism and the thousands of graduates carrying that message into the world. The programs he championed, the leaders he mentored and the bold decisions he made during critical seasons of the University’s history continue to shape our path forward.
Above all, he will be remembered for his unwavering belief in the power of Chiropractic to transform lives, his deep love for students and his conviction that each of us is called to live a life of service, gratitude and extraordinary purpose. As we celebrate his life, we recommit ourselves to the values he lived so fully: to give, to do, to love, to serve, out of our own abundance.
A Special Thank You
We are profoundly grateful to the donors whose generosity is making this Celebration of Life possible, allowing our community to come together to honor a legacy that continues to shape who we are.
