More detail on this person: Robert M. Reuter Robert M. Reuter Olympian, The (WA) - Sunday, August 12, 2007 Olympia WA United States Robert M. Reuter passed away on August 6, 2007 at Panorama City Convalescent Center. Bob lived a life of service to his country and his community, and was devoted to his family. He was born on October 18, 1928 in Bronxville, New York, the son of George A. and Louise (Henry) Reuter. He spent his childhood in Fort Smith, Arkansas and Tucumcari, New Mexico. It was during these early years that he began his service to God and his community as a Boy Scout, a member of the New Mexico State Guard, and an acolyte and lay reader in the Episcopal Church. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the New Mexico Military Institute and a Master of Science degree from the Shippensburg State College in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Following graduation from Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1951 and served on active duty for 30 years, retiring in 1980 with the rank of full Colonel. He married Lucy Hudson at Fort Knox, Kentucky on June 13, 1953. They had two daughters, Becky and Kathy. Following a series of troop command and staff assignments and aviation school, he commanded the Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter Company in Vietnam in 1963 and the 7/17th Air Cavalry Squadron in Vietnam in 1968. He was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College. He was on the faculty of both institutions, and was an Area Commander and Chief of Staff of the 4th Reserve Officer Training Corps Region at Fort Lewis, Washington. In addition, he served with the 31st Infantry Regiment in Korea, the 1st, 6th, and 13th Cavalry, and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Armored Divisions. He was a Senior Army Aviator, and his military awards include five Legions of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, two Army Commendation Medals, 21 Air Medals, the Army General Staff Badge, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Bob was a Charter Member of St. Benedict's Episcopal Church in Lacey, where he served as Vicar's Warden, Stewardship Chairman, Vacation Bible School Director, Landscape Committee Chairman, and as a member of the Revitalization Program. He enjoyed his work with the Boy Scouts and as an Explorer Scout Leader. Bob was a Master Gardener, and his hobbies included fishing, photography, horticulture, and inventing gadgets. He was a sports enthusiast and had a great appreciation for classical music. He especially enjoyed camping with his family and teaching his six grandchildren and many other kids how to fish. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the Army Aviation Association, the United States Army War College Alumni Association, the New Mexico Military Institute Alumni Association, the United States Cavalry Association, and the Olympia Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. As his final act of service and in order to help research in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, Bob participated in several clinical studies conducted by the University of Washington. He had a kind and generous heart and will be greatly missed by all of those who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Lucy; their two daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Duncan Turner and Kathy and Steve Luplow; six grandchildren, Aaron, Laura, and Sam Turner, and Sarah, Jacob, and Rebekah Luplow; and an extended family. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, 910 Bowker Street S.E., Lacey, on Sunday, August 19, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. Inurnment will be in the Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be sent to the St. Benedict's Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 3811, Lacey, Washington, 98509-3811; or to the Alzheimer's Association of Western and Central Washington, 12721 30th Avenue N.E., Seattle, Washington, 98125. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Garden Courte Memory Care Community, Providence Hospice Care, and Panorama Convalescent Center for the loving care he received during his final years. Arrangements by Forest Funeral Home, Olympia.
Burial information: Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA
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