Jan. 17, 1947-Sept. 30, 2005
Robert (Bob) Reed, 58, of Sweet Home died on Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 following a battle with cancer.
He was born on Jan. 17, 1947 at Turlock, Calif., to Louvanna (Haigwood) Reed and William C. Reed Sr.
The family returned to Sweet Home in 1947, and Mr. Reed attended Sweet Home schools, graduating in 1965 from Sweet Home High School. While in high school, he received medals and citations and received his athletic letter in track and field.
When he was younger, he played Little League baseball and received a special citation from the American Legion.
Mr. Reed attended Portland State University and received training from Penn State and Chemeketa Community College. He received a certificate from the U.S. Board of Labor as a journeyman sprinkler and pipe fitter. He last worked for Hammer Quist Corporation of Corvallis until his illness.
He was a member of the local Union 686 6599 UA. He completed his training in related occupations as mid-head boiler operator.
While attending Linn-Benton Community College for training in welding, he was honored as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
Mr. Reed entered the U.S. Army in 1967. He began basic training at Ft. Ord, Calif. He was accepted for field artillery training at Ft. Sill, Okla. From there, he received airborne and parachute training at Ft. Bennings, Ga., and then transferred to the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, N.C.
Mr. Reed arrived in Vietnam at Phu Bai and was battery chief of fire direction control, which charts instructions for the firing of the large guns. The 82nd Airborne was dropped into the Ke Sohn area. At his arrival in Vietnam, he had less than three months in the paratrooper division to serve until his discharge from the Army.
Upon his honorable discharge in May 1968, he received a national defense service medal, Vietnam service medal and parachutes badge. He was discharged as an E6T.
He was a 25-year member of the American Legion, Sweet Home Timber Post 133.
He was baptized at the Sweet Home Church of Christ on Long Street in November 1962.
He enjoyed playing golf and spending time with loved ones.
He is survived by caregiver and friend, Ila Jeanne Pitts of Sweet Home; mother, Louvanna Hartman Monders of Lebanon; stepmother, Mary Reed of Portland; brother, Thomas J. Reed and his wife, Anne Reed, of Bakersfield, Calif.; three nieces; one nephew; five great nieces and nephews; two cousins; aunt and uncle, Margueritte and Sheridan Arnold of Sweet Home; and special friends, the remaining two of the “Three Musketeers,” Henry (Ward) Thorton and Wayne Grant.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Reed Sr.; brother, W. Conrad Reed Jr.; grandparents, Alma and Tom Reed, Frank Haigwood and Mattie Lou Wright; stepfathers, Dr. Jack Hartman and Ernest Monders; and foster brother, Eddie Sherwood.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Oct. 8 at Gilliland Cemetery followed by a memorial service at noon at the VFW Hall in Sweet Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society for research, 2350 Oakmont Way, Eugene, OR 97401.
The Workman & Steckly Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.