On Sunday, March 15, 2026, the chiropractic profession paid tribute to former Life University and Palmer University System Chancellor, Dr. Guy F. Riekeman, who passed away at age 76 after more than five decades of dedicated service and countless lives touched.
The memorial on the Life University campus began with an introduction by Life President Dr. Brian McAulay, followed by an extensive photo tribute narrated by Dr. Riekeman’s daughter, Dr. Vanessa Helfrich, and sister, Dr. Cathy Riekeman. Various speakers then took the stage to share Dr. Riekeman’s lasting impact on them and the profession.
Dr. Gilles LaMarche, Life University’s vice president of university advancement, shared: “[Guy] inspired generations of chiropractors to lead from the inside out, to challenge limits, and to serve with vision and heart.”
Dr. LaMarche referenced Dr. Riekeman’s book, Make Your Life Extraordinary (every memorial attendee received a copy), emphasizing that for Guy, “‘Make Your Life Extraordinary’” was not just a slogan; it was the way that he showed us how we could all truly live our life – with authenticity, integrity, and being truly genuine to the gifts that we were given.”
Dr. LaMarche also announced the establishment of the Dr. Guy F. Riekeman Memorial Endowed Scholarship “honoring one of chiropractic’s most visionary leaders; established to perpetuate Dr. Riekeman’s enduring message of living an inner-directed, extraordinary life in service to humanity.”
The annual scholarship is intended for a chiropractic student “who seeks to express their highest potential while contributing meaningfully to the world around them,” he said. (To donate to the scholarship, visit https://alumni.life.edu/scholarshipsgift.) It “[ensures Dr. Riekeman’s] legacy continues to influence future doctors of chiropractic who share his passion for transforming lives through principled service and enlightened leadership.”
Georgia House of Representatives member Dr. Karen Mathiack, a Life University alumna, read House Resolution 1501, honoring Dr. Riekeman’s life and contributions. Dr. Mathiak and fellow Life alum / Ga. House member Dr. Anissa Jones co-sponsored the resolution and presented it in the House chamber.
Here’s are more inspirational soundbites about Dr. Riekeman from some of the other tributes offered during the memorial:
Rev. Butch Riekeman noted his appreciation of his brother's “love for the potential of people to change the world.”
Dr. Jason Helfrich: “Guy’s legacy is defined by how those he touched show up and pass on those messages [he] shared with everyone in his life.”
Dr. McAulay: “[Guy] arrived to every meeting, conversation and interaction with conviction, clarity and a voice that asked something of you. … He didn’t just want your attention; he wanted your conviction.”
Dr. Leane Kart: “When [Guy] led, he did so with humility, wisdom and a deep belief in the power of chiropractic to change lives.”
Dr. Jason Deitch: “[Guy] wanted to make sure every single last person was listening, was hearing, was feeling his vision of what was possible. … He would continually ask, ‘Are you with me?’ For all of us here today, yes, Guy, we’re with you, because your vision lives on in all of us.”
Dr. JaGerren Knight-Bryant: “No matter how many times I heard Guy deliver a message, it never got old.”
Dr. Dean Depice: “It was as simple as, in his friendship, what was already great in me was made greater because of his belief in what was great.”
Dr. McAulay concluded the ceremony with this directive that applies to not just attendees of the memorial, but all members of the profession, current and future:
“Remember Guy Riekeman’s enduring charge to all of us: to live on purpose; to stand for principle; to do the right thing when it’s called for; to know that what we do matters; and in every season ask the questions that Guy so often posed to us: What am I here to do? What am I willing to give? How will I make a difference? When we accept that charge, we carry Guy’s voice forward.”
Editor’s Note: To watch the memorial, which features other speakers not mentioned in his article, the photo collage / narration, a performance by the Voices of Life choir, and more in its entirety, click here.
