Robert Poe Reed Jr.

REED – Robert Poe Jr., Keizer, Ore., passed away Aug. 2, 2009. He was a kind, generous man, ever smiling, with a sense of humor everyone enjoyed. Born Sept. 21, 1932, in Johnstown, he was the only son of Robert Poe Reed and Anna Leone (Haynes) Reed. In his early years, he attended the Admiral Farragut Academy in New Jersey and the Perkiomen Preparatory School in Pennsburg, Pa. He received his bachelor of science degree in mining engineering from West Virginia University in 1955. Upon graduation, he joined the Bethlehem Steel Corp. as a member of the loop course management training program and was assigned to the Cambria Division, near Johnstown. He received a number of supervisory advancements in the division and in 1963, was named superintendent of the Coal Preparation Plant at the division's Mine 33 in Ebensburg. In 1974, he was appointed to chief engineer of the Cambria Division, in charge of all engineering and construction work. With the outbreak of a major underground mine fire at the plant, he successfully directed the work required over 13 months to extinguish the fire, and returned the plant to full production. In 1980, he was transferred to the Bethlehem International Engineering Corp., a Bethlehem Steel subsidiary, and moved to Bethlehem, Pa. Two years later, he became sales manager of the corporation, which took him abroad to Europe, India, Australia and China. Upon completing the project in Shandong Province, China, the Chinese government hosted the Bethlehem team to a formal banquet in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with the Chinese Prime Minister in attendance. Upon retiring in 1989, he met and married the love of his life, Claire Jean (Roddy) Reed, who greatly enriched his life. Simultaneously, he accepted a consulting position with Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Allentown, Pa., to provided technical support for the design and construction of the coal fired Cambria Cogeneration Plant in western Pennsylvania, using bituminous coal waste as feedstock. Bob was an avid golfer, having played many of the major courses in the country and an active hunter. During their marriage, Bob and Claire traveled extensively, actively both here and abroad, and enjoyed opera wherever they lived. Being aficionados of good food and wine, they frequently entertained friends at home, where their hospitality was always enjoyed. Bob served on the board of directors of the Laurel Bank in Ebensburg and was an elder in the First Presbyterian Church there. Subsequently, both he and Claire were deacons for many years at the First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem, Pa. Without doubt, his Christian faith gave him strength throughout his life. In 1998, they moved to Tucson, Ariz., and in 2004, to Keizer, Ore., to be near family, due to Bob's increasing disability with his Parkinson's/Lewy Body disease. Besides his loving wife, Bob is survived by his son, Robert Poe Reed III, Houston, Texas; daughters, Christina (Reed) Williams, Blandon, Pa.; and Amy (Reed) Link, Orefield, Pa.; as well as grandchildren: Hannah and Jared Reed; Jessica Buffoni; Seth, Reed and Paige Williams; and Coleman and Tristan Link. Bob was much loved by his daughter-in-law and sons-in-law; stepchildren, Diane (Roddy) Morris, and husband, Tom, Salem, Ore.; and Robin (Roddy) Dittmer, Ivins, Utah; and six stepgrandchildren. Bob will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends. Service will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at First Presbyterian Church, 2344 Center St., Bethlehem, Pa. Interment will be at Dudley Methodist Cemetery, Dudley, Pa. Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, Salem, Ore.