Robert H. Reese

Robert H. Reese died on Sunday, August 19, 2012 at the Essa Flory Hospice Center  in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  He was born July 7, 1924 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Harold and Marie Reese.

He graduated from Manheim Township High School in 1942 and volunteered for the United States Army in 1943.  He was a member of the 1^st Calvary Division and participated in the Battle of the Philippines, the Liberation of Manila, the infamous Ball Park Battle, and was a member of the flying squadron that liberated hundreds of civilian and military prisoners of war from the Santo Tomas Prisoner Of War Camp.  He was also involved in the initial landing in Tokyo, Japan at the end of the war and personally observed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. He was wounded twice in the Philippines and received the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for Valor.

He was honorably discharged from the United States Army in October of 1945, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean conflict in September of 1952, and again honorably discharged in July 1953.

He married Betty Mae Waltman on July 7, 1946.  For a period of time, he worked at the Hertzler’s Women’s Apparel Shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

He enrolled in West Chester State Teacher’s College in 1946 and graduated in 1950 with a degree in elementary education.  In 1967, he received a Master’s of elementary administration from Temple University.

He began teaching on a fulltime basis for the School District of Lancaster in 1963 and ultimately became principal at the Hamilton and Mifflin Elementary Schools.   He was principal for over twenty years at  George Washington Elementary School and retired from education in 1986.

Bob worked tirelessly to provide for his family.  Prior to becoming an educator, he was employed by the Radio Corporation of America as a Supervisor.  In addition throughout the years, he worked part-time at Ready Mix Concrete, Penn Dairies, Interstate Motor Freight, and Kegel’s Restaurant.  He was an unpaid assistant to his wife Betty Mae Reese at the Ormond’s Women’s Apparel stores at both Lancaster Shopping Center and Park City.

Bob was a member of a number of service organizations.  He was a 60 year plus member of American Legion Post 34.  He was a 60 year plus member of  Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Lodge 134 where he was Exalted Ruler in 1968, Elk of the Year in 1984 , and South Central Pennsylvania District Deputy in 1979.

He was a 50 year plus member of the Salvation Army of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and was on the Board Of Directors in excess of 40 years.  He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Salvation Army in 2006.

He was a 60 year plus member of the Ross Street United Methodist Church and actively, financially supported the Church.

In 1990,  he and his wife, Betty Mae Reese received the Red Rose Award from the Lancaster Newspapers for raising in excess of $150,000.00 for cerebral palsy through the Elks.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother Harold and Marie Reese and his lovingly wife of over 46 years Betty Mae Reese who died in December 1992.  He is survived by his son, Robert H. Reese, Jr., and wife Monica Reese of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and son Ronald P. Reese and wife Annette Reese of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.  He is also survived by four grandchildren, Megan Reese of East Petersburg, Pennsylvania, United States Navy Lieutenant Shannon A. Reese Buckley of Carlsbad, California, Tyler Reese of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Kelly Reese of Naples, Florida.

Bob deeply, and unconditionally, loved his wife, his family, and his country.  He tirelessly gave back to his community through thousands of hours of volunteer work and as an educator.

He instilled in his children and grandchildren a sense of hard work, respect for others, and the deep love of family and country.  He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and all the people who knew him and whose lives were touched by his generosity.

Friends will be received on Sunday, August  26, 2012 from 6-9PM, with The Elks service at 830PM, from the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Friends will again be received on Monday, August 27, 2012 from 930-10AM, with the Funeral Service to follow at 10AM. Interment in Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Bob’s memory to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125  hospiceoflancaster.org. To send an online condolence, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr Funeral Home & Crematory 560-5100