1924
Robert
2006
Robert Reger
May 29, 1924 — March 20, 2006
Robert O. Reger died Monday evening the 20th of March 2006 with his family by his side. Bob was 81.
Funeral services will be 1p.m. Friday, March 24, 2006 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Ave., Moline. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p..m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline.
Bob was born May 29, 1924, in Reger, Missouri, to Olen and Rosetta Reger. He grew up during the Depression as one of eight brothers and three sisters. During these most difficult of times he learned the value of hard work, sacrifice and self-reliance. As WWII approached he met a young lady, Lola Pierson, who would later become his wife of sixty years. With three brothers already in the Armed Forces, he too felt the need to be of service to his country. He left his small, rural town and moved to Vallejo, CA where he worked as a pipe fitter, building and repairing submarines at Mare Island Navy Shipyard.
Unlike many who stayed in the Bay area at war's end, he returned home to Milan, MO. On September 11, 1946 he married Lola Pierson in Lawrence, KS. Bob and his new bride soon moved to the Quad Cities to begin their future together. He bought a two story frame building in Rock Island, which had served as the office building for J I Case. Virtually single handedly, he dismantled the entire structure. With the lumber from this building he built a house, which became the home in which he raised his family. He and Lola had lived there for the past fifty years.
Bob retired from International Harvester in 1981 after 32 ? years where he had been a mechanic in the Experimental Department. He had a quick wit, was a great storyteller, an accomplished musician and inventor. His passion for gardening was second only to his love for his family. All things he touched grew strong and tall. We will miss his ever present smile, his zest for life, ceaseless energy and unassuming character. His family will honor his memory, and pass on to successive generations, those values he personified.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife Lola; daughter Cheryl Reger, East Moline; three sons and their spouses, George and Diane Reger, Bettendorf, Richard and Tami Reger, Coal Valley and John and Marty Reger, East Moline; six grandchildren and their spouses, Allyson and Rod Leatherman, Rock Island, Wendy and Andy Hare, Enfield, NH, Chris and Kate Reger, Rock Island, Paul and Alisha Smith, Belle Plaine, IA, Gretchen Reger, Bettendorf and Ben Reger, Bettendorf; nine great grandchildren, Mackenzie Leatherman, Zachary Leatherman, Kristin Leatherman, Kayla Leatherman, Andy Leatherman, Rock Island, Vanessa Reger, Lauren Reger, Claire Reger, Rock Island and Parker Hare Enfield, NH; three sisters, Virginia Corwin, Colona, Delia Yardley, Milan, MO, Ruth Edmands, Vallejo, CA; two brothers, James Reger, Macon, MO and Ova Reger, Milan, MO; nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and five brothers.
Online condolences may be expressed to Robert's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
Funeral services will be 1p.m. Friday, March 24, 2006 at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601-38th Ave., Moline. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p..m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline.
Bob was born May 29, 1924, in Reger, Missouri, to Olen and Rosetta Reger. He grew up during the Depression as one of eight brothers and three sisters. During these most difficult of times he learned the value of hard work, sacrifice and self-reliance. As WWII approached he met a young lady, Lola Pierson, who would later become his wife of sixty years. With three brothers already in the Armed Forces, he too felt the need to be of service to his country. He left his small, rural town and moved to Vallejo, CA where he worked as a pipe fitter, building and repairing submarines at Mare Island Navy Shipyard.
Unlike many who stayed in the Bay area at war's end, he returned home to Milan, MO. On September 11, 1946 he married Lola Pierson in Lawrence, KS. Bob and his new bride soon moved to the Quad Cities to begin their future together. He bought a two story frame building in Rock Island, which had served as the office building for J I Case. Virtually single handedly, he dismantled the entire structure. With the lumber from this building he built a house, which became the home in which he raised his family. He and Lola had lived there for the past fifty years.
Bob retired from International Harvester in 1981 after 32 ? years where he had been a mechanic in the Experimental Department. He had a quick wit, was a great storyteller, an accomplished musician and inventor. His passion for gardening was second only to his love for his family. All things he touched grew strong and tall. We will miss his ever present smile, his zest for life, ceaseless energy and unassuming character. His family will honor his memory, and pass on to successive generations, those values he personified.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife Lola; daughter Cheryl Reger, East Moline; three sons and their spouses, George and Diane Reger, Bettendorf, Richard and Tami Reger, Coal Valley and John and Marty Reger, East Moline; six grandchildren and their spouses, Allyson and Rod Leatherman, Rock Island, Wendy and Andy Hare, Enfield, NH, Chris and Kate Reger, Rock Island, Paul and Alisha Smith, Belle Plaine, IA, Gretchen Reger, Bettendorf and Ben Reger, Bettendorf; nine great grandchildren, Mackenzie Leatherman, Zachary Leatherman, Kristin Leatherman, Kayla Leatherman, Andy Leatherman, Rock Island, Vanessa Reger, Lauren Reger, Claire Reger, Rock Island and Parker Hare Enfield, NH; three sisters, Virginia Corwin, Colona, Delia Yardley, Milan, MO, Ruth Edmands, Vallejo, CA; two brothers, James Reger, Macon, MO and Ova Reger, Milan, MO; nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and five brothers.
Online condolences may be expressed to Robert's family by visiting his obituary at
www.esterdahlmortuary.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Robert Reger, please visit our flower store.