03/15/2026
Later today I will be attending Dr. Guy Riekeman’s life celebration and wanted to share one last note. Life Sent Him Here
We oftentimes wonder why we are here. When we look back on our lives, sometimes it becomes clear.
Like me, Dr. Guy Riekeman was born into a chiropractic family. If you do not know what that means, it is kind of like being a preacher’s kid — except following your adolescent desires for adventure and s*x is okay. Tofu, exercise, and constantly needing an adjustment are non-negotiable.
For Dr. Riekeman, I imagine his purpose as a kid was to shoot hoops, then play basketball in college, then maybe study film, and once out of the house, probably just like me, eat junk food and drink soda because, “I’m an adult now.” No longer living in a chiropractic house anymore.
But as many of us second-generation chiropractic kids do, we come back.
His purpose became his practice. For a few years, he served patients through upper cervical chiropractic. But then I think all those movies got to him. I remember him telling me he watched a movie every day. I think all of those films — the ones that told stories of adventure, miracles, and overcoming the impossible — helped shape Guy into a coach of chiropractors, then a teacher of students, then President and Chancellor of the largest chiropractic school on the planet.
The Hollywood movie may never be made — The Riekeman Story: The Voice of Vitalism — but for those of us who love life, for those of us who have dedicated ourselves to teaching these vitalistic principles, for those of us who lean over the table and touch patient after patient in hopes of bringing healing and happiness into their lives, men like Dr. Riekeman are our superheroes.
I am eternally grateful for you, Guy. Dr. Riekeman has been a voice for our profession and is on the short list of chiropractic leaders — and, in my book, not just chiropractic, but all of healthcare leaders — who truly changed the world.
May we all continue to share his message of life and vitalism with the world. And may we continue to soar on the wings of eagles. As “Easy” used to always ask, “you follow me?” Is no longer a question for us, but a calling.
