Family, friends, community members, representatives from approximately 11
fire districts, county commissioners, state legislators and more gathered at
the Mount Hood RV Village on Sunday, Jan. 24 to celebrate the life of Bob
Reeves, the community-minded Welches resident who died Dec. 27, 2015.

Born July 31, 1934 in Palo Alto, Calif., Reeves was known for his service to
others throughout his life, including on the Mountain where he served in
various capacities such as the Hoodland Fire District board of directors, the
Villages at Mt. Hood board of directors and was instrumental in starting the
Mt. Hood Express bus service.

Ron Reeves, Bob’s son, shared stories of his father’s business ventures in
Oregon, including a grocery store in Oak Grove and starting a radiator
business, while also expanding on the organizations his father was involved in
including the Boy Scouts and Optimists.

“His whole life has been about service, serving the community, helping
others,” Ron said. “I hope that’s an example that I can follow in my life. He’s
been a great example and a great father.”

Bill Kennemer, who served as a Clackamas County Commissioner from 1997
to 2008 and is now the District 39 State Representative, shared how Reeves
would visit him to chat and even if the two were on different pages, Reeves
would.

“As I think back, I’d be hard pressed to find very many people that had more
impact than Bob,” Kennemer said, adding that he didn’t think the Mountain
Express “had a prayer at first.” “We’re all going to miss him, and thank God
the world is better because he was here and he loved us, he loved this
community and he made this world better.”

Martha Schrader, currently serving as a commissioner and a former State
Senator, noted that Reeves helped her when she first became a commissioner
in 2003.

“I didn’t know how to be a good commissioner, it was a new job,” Schrader
said. “(Bob) went out of his way to be a teacher to me. He was always kind,
he was always generous.”

Reeves received military and fire honors at the ceremony. He is survived by
his wife of 43 years, Karen; three sons, Ron, Jeff and Bryan; eight
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.