Celebrating the life of
CDR. Ivers W. Riley, Jr., (USN, RET.)
September 28, 1932 - February 17, 2015
Retired Commander United States Navy
Ivers Whitman Riley Jr.
(1932-2015)
Savannah GA - Ivers W. Riley Jr., died February 17, 2015 at his home in Savannah, Georgia in the presence of family members.
Ivers was born September 28, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated UCLA with a finance degree in 1955 and then served actively as a Naval Pilot and then 20 years in the reserves retiring as a Commander. His extensive career in the field of finance and exchange traded products began at Merrill Lynch in Pasadena, California. He also held executive positions at Aetna, Paine Webber, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, The American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange and was a co-founder of The Options Group in 1981. Notably, Ivers served as the second Chairman of the International Securities Exchange (2002-2006) and as Chairman of both the Hong Kong Futures Exchange and the HKFE Clearing Corp (1994-2000). Ivers is credited with the development of listed derivatives markets literally having written the book and getting approval for listing “puts” on equities. Later, Ivers was the driving force behind the invention and development of “SPY” the first exchange traded Fund. Ivers has been a worldwide industry leader in promoting the customer experience by increasing transparency and lowering costs through product standardization and enhanced technology.
Ivers was named to the Futures Hall of Fame and received the prestigious Joe Sullivan Award in 2005.
Ivers and his wife Barbara (deceased 2010) were avid readers and game players. Poker and Bridge were a constant topic. They both loved their children and grandchildren.
Ivers is survived by his son Michael G. Riley and daughter-in-law Laurie Kelly of Narragansett, Rhode Island and their 3 children Brett M. Kelly-Riley esq, Quinn W. Kelly-Riley and Ford Ivers Kelly-Riley; son Steven Ivers Riley & daughter-in-law Amy Riley of Canton, GA and their 2 children Marissa Riley and Megan Hammontree; daughter Chris Simko and son-in-law Mark Simko of Piscataway, New Jersey.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 25 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel in Savannah Georgia.
Interment will follow the service (family only).
The family suggests any remembrances be made in his memory to the Humane Society for Greater Savannah, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406 or www.humanesocietysav.org
Thank you Ivers, for that can-do, will-do, have-done attitude that has changed the industry worldwide and influenced all those lucky enough to have wandered into your sphere.
- Barbara Diamond-Kaufman, Redding, Ct
Mike. We lost a great guy.Condolences to you and all of Ivers family Joe
- Joe Stefanelli, Millstone Township, NJ
I had the pleasure of meeting Ivers several times over the years at industry functions, including golf. Being very new to the business, I really appreciated Ivers' sense of humor and ability to put people (like me) at ease. Having also been a fellow Bruin, I wish I had the opportunity to talk more our UCLA experiences. RIP...
- Patrick and Beth Hickey, Chicago, IL
I met Ivers in 1985 and last spoke with him in November 2014. During these 30 years he was a competitor, business partner, mentor and dear friend. I know I should have let him win more often at golf, but I always had the sense that he enjoyed ribbing me more than he enjoyed winning....that is unless there was money riding on the round. He forever changed the options and equities industries and through that positively impacted the lives of the hundreds of thousands that have earned livings and returns from these products. I will miss him deeply.
- Gary Katz, New York, NY
Ivers was a great guy. We will all miss his biting humor. It's only fitting that he won his last Super Bowl Pool. I'm sure that he's laughing at all of us right now. RIP my Friend.
- Joe & Sandy Mclaughlin, Savannah, GA
As a poker playing friend of Ivers, it was always a pleasure to share those times with him. He was witty, smart and always a gentleman. The running joke was that for years I had tried to get Ivers to "adopt" me, and depending on how things went on a given night, like if I beat him on a big hand, my name would move up or down on the "list". He will be sorely missed!!
- Harvey Lynn, Savannah, Ga.
Thank you Ivers, for that can-do, will-do, have-done attitude that has changed the industry worldwide and influenced all those lucky enough to have wandered into your sphere.
- Barbara Diamond-Kaufman, Redding, Ct
Mike. We lost a great guy.Condolences to you and all of Ivers family Joe
- Joe Stefanelli, Millstone Township, NJ
I had the pleasure of meeting Ivers several times over the years at industry functions, including golf. Being very new to the business, I really appreciated Ivers' sense of humor and ability to put people (like me) at ease. Having also been a fellow Bruin, I wish I had the opportunity to talk more our UCLA experiences. RIP...
- Patrick and Beth Hickey, Chicago, IL
I met Ivers in 1985 and last spoke with him in November 2014. During these 30 years he was a competitor, business partner, mentor and dear friend. I know I should have let him win more often at golf, but I always had the sense that he enjoyed ribbing me more than he enjoyed winning....that is unless there was money riding on the round. He forever changed the options and equities industries and through that positively impacted the lives of the hundreds of thousands that have earned livings and returns from these products. I will miss him deeply.
- Gary Katz, New York, NY
Ivers was a great guy. We will all miss his biting humor. It's only fitting that he won his last Super Bowl Pool. I'm sure that he's laughing at all of us right now. RIP my Friend.
- Joe & Sandy Mclaughlin, Savannah, GA
As a poker playing friend of Ivers, it was always a pleasure to share those times with him. He was witty, smart and always a gentleman. The running joke was that for years I had tried to get Ivers to "adopt" me, and depending on how things went on a given night, like if I beat him on a big hand, my name would move up or down on the "list". He will be sorely missed!!
- Harvey Lynn, Savannah, Ga.
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
