Roger D. Reas

Roger D. Reas age 89, of Park Falls, died peacefully at home on Sunday November 9, 2025. He was born on February 2, 1936, the second child of 13 born to Emeron and Mae (Hatch) Reas. He graduated High School in 1954, graduated from UW-Superior in 1958. He taught in Winter, Wisconsin for two years, then received a full year scholarship to University of Northern Iowa and received his Master's in Science Teaching. He continued his education receiving a National Science Foundation scholarship to research organic chemistry for breast cancer in Tuskegee, Alabama during the summer of 1962. He taught general science, chemistry, physics, human anatomy, physiology and Timber and Game Management.
Following that summer, he received a telegram to come back to Park Falls to set up a science program at the High School and taught science until his retirement in 1994. During his tenure, he taught at the school forest and served as the supervisor of the school forest. He supervised the Youth Conservation Corp during the summer for the US Forest Service. He recruited and taught high school students firefighting with the Forest Service supervisors.
With inspiration from Maybell Hardy and with family funds in honor or Robert Markle, a game warden killed in action, Roger created a permanent wildlife display at the High School in 1980 and it is present in the current Park Falls High School. Funding ultimately exceeded the cost of the display via donations and the additional funds were placed in a scholarship fund for students going on to secondary education in Natural Resources.
Roger's community contributions and dedication to his students did not go unnoticed as he received the Herb Kohl Award and Wisconsin Science Teacher of the Year Award in 1992-1993.
Following his retirement, Roger served on the Park Falls School Board for 14 years and served as President for several years.
In 1958 he married Phyllis Scott and together they raised three children. They shared 17 years of marriage until her passing. In 1979 he married Sharon Hanson and they were married for 46 years.
Roger was an intellectually gifted man who shared his wealth of knowledge through his teaching and commitment to his community. He was a 32nd Degree Mason for 65 years, served as a member of the Scottish Rite, and was a proud member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Park Falls.
He was one of the founding members and president of the Zor Shriners Hospital Flambeau Clowns; past Divan of the Madison Zor Temple Shriners Hospital; Chair of the Board for Northwoods Community Credit Union; founding member of the Snow Gypsies snowmobile club and lobbied at the state level to ensure that the Tuscobia Trail become a state trail ensuring that the trail received funding for maintenance and served on the Whitetails Unlimited and Ducks Unlimited banquet committees.
He was the Price county delegate to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for over 10 years and Town of Lake Chairman for 13 years. He also served as a member of the Price County Forward committee.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed all that the Northwoods has to offer, including hunting, fishing, archery, and time at his cabin and hunting land. Most of all, he enjoyed being with his family.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, three children; Carrie Reas, Kevin (Roxan) Reas, Christopher (Ester) Reas, (7) grandchildren, (3)great grandchildren, (9)siblings; Violet Dillon, Tina Gruber, Perry (Betty) Reas, Kathy Kotke, Larry (Judy) Reas, Ramona (Charlie) Wasrud, Dawn (Rick) Buboltz, John Reas, Christine (Mark) Moravec, brother-in-law Kelly (Linda) Scott, his special friend Russell (Carmen) Kapitz, and by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; both sets of parent-in-laws; his first wife Phyllis and three of her siblings and families; three siblings; Rosie Hilgart, Doug Reas, Carol Herbst, four sibling-in-laws; Jack Dillon, Pat Gruber, Jean Reas, Bernie Kotke, and his special friend Dick Kapitz.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday November 21, 2025, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Park Falls. Rev. Jill Lemke will officiate.
Interment to follow at Nola Cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 5:00pm – 7:00pm with masonic service at 7:00pm on Thursday November 20, 2025, at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Park Falls and on Friday November 21, from 10:00am until the hour of the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zor Flambeau Clowns for their annual gift to the Shriners Hospital in Minneapolis.
Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family www.birchstreetfuneralservice.com