Richard D. Reese

WADSWORTH---Richard D. Reese, 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Richard was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. He grew up in the Goodyear Heights neighborhood where his love of Ham Radio began with him building his own radio equipment from used parts. He received his license with the call sign WA8DBW at in his teens and began working local radio jobs learning how to repair TV and radio equipment. He went on to work at AT&T while still taking on repair jobs.

In 1969, Richard joined the Akron Police Department. Richard worked at various capacities in the department and enjoyed being able to help citizens toward a better path using his self-proclaimed “ability to talk for hours on end.” He retired as Sergeant in 1996.

Richard and his beloved wife, Charmaine, recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They built a life together around a love of family, travelling in their RV and their faith. Richard was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 547 and past Grand Knight. He often volunteered to help teach RCIA to new members of the church. He had a strong faith in God and wanted others to find their way. 

He worked with many organizations helping people including the Victims Assistance of Summit County, Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Summit and Portage Counties and many more. He worked as Project Director of the Safe Communities program through the Summit County Sheriff’s office.

Throughout helping people in the past two decades, Richard bravely fought through multiple health crises, including cancer. Even in his own troubles, Richard reached out to other people in need to bring them comfort.

True to his gift of the gab and storytelling, Richard maintained a website with more of his prolific life. It is WA8DBW R & C Reese (ifip.com).

Richard loved his family and many friends dearly. He is survived by his wife, Charmaine, and a blended family of children: Richard Jr., John (Ann-Elisabeth), Meredith Reese, Christine Snow and Laura (Jim) Gorka. His beloved chiweenie dog, Rosie, will miss her daddy.

Some of his greatest joys were his surviving grandchildren: Michael Snow, Maxwell Beers (Mayzie), Benjamin Beers, Jackson Beers, and Roxanna Beers, Logan Gorka, Connor Gorka, Kelly Self, Johnny Reese, Juliann Reese, Savannah Reese and Harlan Reese.

Richard’s surviving siblings include Cheryl (John) Stegall, and James Reese, and many other family members and friends he held dear to his heart.

Richard will be reunited in heaven with his parents Robert Sr. and Clara Reese, his brother Robert Jr. and sister Rebecca, his son, Eric Beers.

Viewing will be Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Silva-Hostetler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Road W., Barberton. Additional Calling Hours on Friday, May 6, 2022 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 1263 Shannon Avenue, Barberton, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery.

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