Richard Reese

Richard Willard Reese died peacefully October 18, 2024; he was 88 years old. He was born in Chester, PA to Elizabeth (Bossard) and Willard G. Reese on March 18, 1936. He traced his family’s roots back to immigrants from France in 1740, who established the Pennsylvania town of Bossardsville. He was proud that his ancestors had participated in the founding of this country and continued to serve for generations.

He grew up in Chester, helping out at his grandfather’s ice cream and candy stores and his father’s sporting goods stores and playing basketball. He and his younger sister, Nancy, would run wild with their cousins at “the gap,” an island off the coast of Delaware where his family spent their summers. 

Dick graduated from Hobart College in 1958, majoring in economics and joined the ROTC. Upon graduation, he entered the Air Force as a second Lieutenant. His first assignment was at Castle AFB in Merced, CA, where he met his wife, Sandy, while she was home from college on summer break. Dick said that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever met. While Sandy swears that when she saw him walk into her backyard to play cards with his CO and her father, she told herself, “I’m going to marry that man.” And three months later they wed on October 21, 1959.

Dick was next sent to Goose Bay Labrador, guarding classified codes during the Cold War, and flying with bush pilots to the Arctic Circle. His career then took him to El Paso, TX where he was honorably discharged in 1964 at the rank of Captain, having earned the AF Commendation Medal. 

By 1966 he had four daughters and was working for Allstate Insurance Co. in Menlo Park CA. He fell in love with the mountains, spending weekends and vacations camping and canoeing at Yosemite, Big Sur and Strawberry Lake. 

When he was asked to transfer to the headquarter office outside of Chicago, and not wanting to leave California, he left the company and he and Sandy bought a gift store with a couple of good friends. He loved running the store as his grandfather and father had done before him. 

However, Allstate wanted him back and he finally accepted the Chicago move. There, he and Sandy found wonderful mountains – and golfing – in Door County, WI, where camping and canoeing vacations continued. 

In 1976 he became a founding member, board member and Vice President of ANAD, the first organization to create awareness of and resources for those suffering from eating disorders. He served ANAD for 31 years, changing the way doctors and the public viewed and treated this fatal condition.

After retiring to Louisville, KY in 1994, Dick and Sandy joined All Peoples Unitarian Universalist Church and found their spiritual home. Dick served on the endowment board for many years, supporting the church in every way he could.

He joined the church’s Sudanese Refugee Education Fund and served on the board as president and vice president of the scholarship organization since its founding in 2005. He and Sandy not only raised scholarship funds and were major donors themselves, but they welcomed these “Lost Boys” into their home and their lives. They taught them about American culture, helped them enter college, prep for job interviews and celebrated all their successes together. Dick often bragged about these young men as if they were his own sons.

He also joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, mentoring a young boy for several years. 

And there was always golf and travel. Dick and Sandy traveled to dozens of countries in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America. They particularly enjoyed Road Scholar tours, taking classes on local history, politics and culture while traveling around the world.

Dick led a life of integrity, honesty, and service to others. He was patient, pensive and methodical – Sandy said he was so slow that at least he’d never die of a heart attack. He had a great sense of humor and made friends wherever he went. But most of all, he was devoted to Sandy and cared for her fiercely during their last few years together.

He led a purposeful life and will be greatly missed.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law Edward Graham, his son-in-law Rex Bomhold and by his beloved wife, Sandra Reese in 2023. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Hall (Brian), Alicia Reese, Susan Pittman and Catharine Bomhold; and his grandchildren Sara Sorensen (George), Aiden Hall, Wyeth Reese-Davies, Heather Pittman, Erin VanOver (Austin), Nathan Pittman, Austin Bomhold, Max Bomhold, Peter Bomhold and three great grandchildren, Asa Sorensen, Daisy VanOver & Jett VanOver. His sister, Nancy Graham, also survives him.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025, 3:00 – 6:00 pm at All Peoples Unitarian Universalist Church, 4936 Brownsboro Road, Louisville, KY, 40222.   

Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, and Receptions East Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville KY, are entrusted with his arrangements.