Dr. Donald S. Reber

Hi Dad! I just glanced at this today and wanted to say hello and thank you for the wonderful example you were to me every day of my life while I was growing up.

In conversations with the brothers and sisters, we still discuss how fortunate we were to be raised by you and Mom. I have told many people that one of the most remarkable things I witnessed (or rather DIDN'T witness) was that you and Mom never once raised your voice in anger to each other! Wow. If you and Mom ever had disagreements, as all OTHER married couples do, you always kept them behind closed doors. NONE of us ever witnessed anything but love between you and Mom. You treated everyone you knew (and even those you didn't!) with love and respect. You were always there to lend a helping hand when you were able, whether at service projects or elsewhere.

I remember many years ago, you and Doug took that trip to Oregon to visit your friends Eldon and Cleo. While there, you met a friend of Eldon's whose house had recently burned down. He lost everything he had. I was surprised/not surprised to learn that you gave this man...a stranger really...$2,000 to help him and his family get back a little bit of what they lost. And this was 35-40 years ago when that was a lot of money! I never heard this from you...you never told anyone about this, as far as I know. I heard about this from Doug, who was there with you. He was surprised as well by your over-the-top kindness and love for a perfect stranger. At the end of the day, I guess neither one of us should have been surprised really...that was just the type of person you were.

You were/are such an amazing man. Thank you again for the wonderful impact you had on my life. I am who I am because of the man I was privileged to have as a father. I try (unsuccessfully!) to treat my family as well as you treated us. I will keep trying. Hopefully, I'll make it there someday.

I remember thinking, even as you started to get ill, "Dad can never pass away! He can solve any problem! He will figure out how to get past this one!" And I remember how crushed I was to learn that there was at least one thing that apparently even you couldn't figure out how to fix.
Afterward, I remember walking by your picture every day...and the profound sadness I felt as I looked at your smiling face in that wonderful portrait with Mom that we all know so well. And I remember being actually startled...several months later...when I walked by and noticed that, instead of feeling sadness, I SMILED BACK (!) as I saw your happy faces! Wow! The crushing sadness was starting to lift! I now smile at every photo I see with you in it.

While I still feel sad that I can't come to you and Mom for your awesome advice anymore, I have nothing but happy memories of spending time in the family that you two raised together. Thank you for being as close to a perfect person as possible.

I am beyond grateful for the wonderful honor and privilege that I have of being able to call you "Dad."
I can't wait to see you again...getting sooner every day now.

With love and gratitude,
Your son,
Mark

Dr. Reber was my dentist for many, many years (at least 30). I missed having him as my dentist after he retired.



He will be missed by all of his patients.



I know that he is in a far better place.

Dear Elaine,



I have many fond memories of both you and Dr. Reber. He was my dentist for many years before I moved to Utah. May Heavenly Father comfort you and your family during this difficult time.



Evie Forsyth

(sister of Shirley Coleman)

This is for Chris Reber-Graham.

I was one of your school-mates at Del Rey Woods, Fremont Junior High as well as Monterey High School. I was touched by the article about your Fathers life. He lived life for family and others. May God comfort you and give you peace. Sincerely, Pauline