Bernard Paul Reeder
August 17, 1924 ~ September 30, 2008
BERNARD PAUL REEDER
August 17, 1924 September 30, 2008
Bernard Paul Reeder was born on August 17, 1924 in Clarksburg, WV. Bernie was the only child born to his parents, Truman "Ted" and Vera Reeder.
Bernie's childhood started in the Adamston neighborhood in Clarksburg and was full of fun and laughter. In his older years, he talked of this as a time when he enjoyed foot races with his athletic friends (and from his account, he always seemed to win those races).
In 1941, Bernie graduated from Victory High School, and from there he went to study Engineering at Potomac State College in Keyser, WV.
In 1944, while still a college student, Bernie met Marjory Clutter Stewart, who was working at Candyland at the time. They fell in love, and after a long courtship, Bernie and Margie were married on January 31, 1952. They did not delay having a family, however. Paula Marie Reeder (Rankin) was born that September, to be followed by Annette Cecile Reeder in December 1953, and Laura Louise Reeder (Toregas) in April 1955.
The Reeder clan grew so much almost overnight, and Bernie and Marge decided to find a new home for their family to plant their roots. In 1955, Bernie moved to Arlington, VA, and he found an apartment for the family and employment with the Postal Service working at National Airport. Marge and the girls followed, and in 1959, the Reeders moved into their new home in Vienna, VA, where Marge still lives today. Ivan Alec Reeder was born to the Reeder family in May 1963, and Elaine Celeste Reeder followed in July 1966 to complete the family.
Bernie enjoyed a vast array of hobbies and activities. His love of music spanned many different types. A few favorites included Patti Page, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ivan Rebroff, Sarah Vaughn, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. He loved to do things with his hands, and with that desire he built a telescope with which he and his family could view the rings of Saturn on a dark night. He loved sports, and himself enjoyed bowling and playing softball. It should go without saying that he was also a devoted follower of the West Virginia Mountaineers. He was competitive, but as with everything he always had a good time. Bernie was also a Mason. He was an involved father, coaching the three older girls' softball team, and coaching the younger two in bowling. He shared a love of computers and technology with his son, Ivan, and together they built a computer and a network for the house. As the children grew to adulthood, Bernie also took great pride in the lives and accomplishments of his grandchildren, Wyatt Reeder Toregas and Nancy Elizabeth Toregas. In raising his children, Bernie chose to teach by example as he passed on specific traits and skills to each of his children. Unbelievably, he was never heard to speak a single swear word by any of his family members, a trait that Marge wishes he had passed on to any of his children.
Bernie left us and this earth on September 30, 2008, at the age of 84. He left us with so many fond memories, many of which the family has shared in recent weeks with laughter and tears. He continues to be an example to all of us in how to live a family-centered life with integrity and humor.
Thank you for sharing in this celebration of Bernie's life.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22043. (www.capitalhospice.org)
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
August 17, 1924 September 30, 2008
Bernard Paul Reeder was born on August 17, 1924 in Clarksburg, WV. Bernie was the only child born to his parents, Truman "Ted" and Vera Reeder.
Bernie's childhood started in the Adamston neighborhood in Clarksburg and was full of fun and laughter. In his older years, he talked of this as a time when he enjoyed foot races with his athletic friends (and from his account, he always seemed to win those races).
In 1941, Bernie graduated from Victory High School, and from there he went to study Engineering at Potomac State College in Keyser, WV.
In 1944, while still a college student, Bernie met Marjory Clutter Stewart, who was working at Candyland at the time. They fell in love, and after a long courtship, Bernie and Margie were married on January 31, 1952. They did not delay having a family, however. Paula Marie Reeder (Rankin) was born that September, to be followed by Annette Cecile Reeder in December 1953, and Laura Louise Reeder (Toregas) in April 1955.
The Reeder clan grew so much almost overnight, and Bernie and Marge decided to find a new home for their family to plant their roots. In 1955, Bernie moved to Arlington, VA, and he found an apartment for the family and employment with the Postal Service working at National Airport. Marge and the girls followed, and in 1959, the Reeders moved into their new home in Vienna, VA, where Marge still lives today. Ivan Alec Reeder was born to the Reeder family in May 1963, and Elaine Celeste Reeder followed in July 1966 to complete the family.
Bernie enjoyed a vast array of hobbies and activities. His love of music spanned many different types. A few favorites included Patti Page, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ivan Rebroff, Sarah Vaughn, and Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. He loved to do things with his hands, and with that desire he built a telescope with which he and his family could view the rings of Saturn on a dark night. He loved sports, and himself enjoyed bowling and playing softball. It should go without saying that he was also a devoted follower of the West Virginia Mountaineers. He was competitive, but as with everything he always had a good time. Bernie was also a Mason. He was an involved father, coaching the three older girls' softball team, and coaching the younger two in bowling. He shared a love of computers and technology with his son, Ivan, and together they built a computer and a network for the house. As the children grew to adulthood, Bernie also took great pride in the lives and accomplishments of his grandchildren, Wyatt Reeder Toregas and Nancy Elizabeth Toregas. In raising his children, Bernie chose to teach by example as he passed on specific traits and skills to each of his children. Unbelievably, he was never heard to speak a single swear word by any of his family members, a trait that Marge wishes he had passed on to any of his children.
Bernie left us and this earth on September 30, 2008, at the age of 84. He left us with so many fond memories, many of which the family has shared in recent weeks with laughter and tears. He continues to be an example to all of us in how to live a family-centered life with integrity and humor.
Thank you for sharing in this celebration of Bernie's life.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Capital Hospice, 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22043. (www.capitalhospice.org)
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Ivan, my most sincere condolences to you and your family. Although I never met your father, he seems to have been a wonderfully alive and vibrant man. You were blessed to have him as a father. Take Care.
I offer my condolences to the Reeder clan in this time of sorrow, and pray they may know that peace which passeth all understanding, to take comfort in the Lord, and offer continual thanksgivings for the husband, father, and friend they all knew and loved. It sounds like Bernie was a wonderful man. I would have enjoyed meeting him. Peace be with you all, now and always.