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John Reynolds Obituary
He lived, worked, and taught fueled by a fierce commitment to fairness and an uncompromising belief in what was right. He spent his professional career teaching, using the study of American politics to show students how to question, analyze, and trust the power of institutions to preserve democracy.
John married Rachel in 1973, and they raised five children together in the city of Bethlehem. He earned a bachelor's degree from Lehigh University and a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, both in political science. He taught at Moravian College from 1979 until his death.
John was the founder of The Promise of the Rainbow, a conference of local high school students focused on discussing issues of race and diversity. He was a former chair of the Lehigh Valley Children's Coalition, a public policy advocacy group. A passionate defender of public education, John served as the Parent Advisory Committee representative for Thomas Jefferson Elementary for several years.
While his own children were young. John spent parts of three decades coaching baseball and softball at North Central Little League and basketball with the Hurricane Basketball Club.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his five children, Scott (wife Jennifer), William (fiancé Natalie), Molly (husband Joel), Joe, and Elizabeth; his brother Dan (wife Mary); and four grandchildren.
The services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. John V. Reynolds Scholarship Fund to benefit first generation college students at Moravian College, 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA, 18018. www.moravian.edu/makeagift
Condolences may be offered online at www.connellfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Reynolds
Sponsored by Connell Funeral Home, Inc..
Scot Dapp
February 5, 2020
I was very sorry to hear about John's death. During my 24 years as head football coach at Moravian College he was always very supportive of not just my team but all of the teams in the athletic department. He was always willing to meet with visiting recruits whenever I asked. He was a well-respected professor and a valued member of the Moravian College community. John Reynolds was a class act and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Reynolds family.
Frank & Roseann Scattene
February 3, 2020
Bill,
Just a quick note to offer our sympathies to you and your entire family.
Frank
February 3, 2020
I would like to send my deepest sympathies to the Reynolds Family in the loss of a truly great man. I will miss the good conversations and stories we shared and laughed at in the Barber Shop over the years.
Sincerely,
Denny Roebuck
James West
February 3, 2020
My sincere condolences to the Reynolds family on John's passing. John was a good colleague of mine for over 30 years. He always impressed me as someone who loved being a professor, loved his academic discipline and loved Moravian College and the community of Bethlehem. He served them all very well. He will be missed at Moravian.
Carol Brunnabend
February 3, 2020
Rachel & family,
So very sorry for your loss. John was a strong, gentle man who left us with some of the best little league memories. Beautiful souls like Johns' are never forgotten.
Bob & Carol Brunnabend
February 3, 2020
To the Reynolds Family: Our deepest sympathy to you and your family during this time.
John was a great family man, man of wisdom
and strength. Share that strength to carry on. Sincerely,
The Gross Family
NC Little League
Liberty High School
Walt Garvin
February 3, 2020
My sincere condolences to Willie and the entire Reynolds family on the passing of John. John was a great example to all. John had a keen insight and was one of our great thinkers. He cared deeply about his community and shared his political insights on a regular basis. John has gone way too soon and he will be sorely missed. May He Rest in Peace.
bruce montgomery
February 1, 2020
My deepest condolences to all that knew and loved John.
Although I only know some of the family through Rachel's church, it is important to me to express my regrets to those that personally knew John.
Bruce Montgomery
Matthew Kensecki
January 31, 2020
The last days of August 2008 was when I first met Dr. Reynolds in my first semester at Moravian. Little did I know that he would later be the professor I'd have the most courses with while at Moravian, and, also, that by junior year be my academic advisor.
Even after I graduated in 2011, when I asked him for help on certain issues over the years, he would always lend what help that was needed. Even as recent as 2018, when I was going up for BTZ with the Air Force, Dr. Reynolds lent his help so I could shorten the completion of my CCAF Degree and have it placed on my BTZ package in time for the board.
There are certainly no shortage of good things to say about Dr. Reynolds and what he has done for me and so many others; not only at Moravian, but the community at large. And, I know the emptiness of words when compared to the deeds of someone's life, but I wanted it to be known that if there was anything politically well developed, or refined, that any of you have heard from me . . . Chances are . . . I learned it in a John Reynolds class first.
Thank you, Sir.
George Diamond
January 31, 2020
I was deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. I know he had
been ill in recent years, still his passing came as a shock. I will always remember him as a good friend, stalwart colleague, and one
of the faculty leaders at Moravian. He always stood for what was important and good. His influence on the faculty and our students
was profound. He will be greatly missed.
One memory reflects his character. I happened to be in a
WaWa, and when I walked out, two men were talking. The team that John was coaching had just beaten the teram that one of the men coached. He mentioned John by name and also described how John had addressed his team after their loss and assured them they had much to be proud of in the way they played. It was a reflection of who John was and a reflection of his character.
John and I were fraternity brothers of Alpha Chi Rho--John, of course, at Lehigh. I was a member at Allegheny College.
My thoughts are with the Reynolds familty at this difficult time.
George S. Diamond, Emeritus English
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