Joseph Bryant Reber, 91

Joseph Bryant Reber passed away peacefully on July 23, 2010, in his home at the Springs of Missoula. He was born in Butte on Feb. 17, 1919, to Edward A. Reber, a copper miner, and Mary Molly (Rooney), a correspondent for the Butte Daily Post. He was the third of nine children, and joins his brothers, Charles, Edward, Paul and Leonard, along with his sisters, Gertrude, Mary Belle, Frances and Flora, who preceded him in death. He attended St. John s Elementary School through the eighth grade and attended Butte High School for one year. At age 15, he left school to take his father s job on the WPA (Works Progress Administration), repairing Silver Bow Creek after his father s illness. When the WPA ended he went to work for Hansen Packing Company, and after two years went to work for Nevin-Frank Bottling, driving a pop truck for his uncle, Phil Harrington. It was during this time, at 19, Joe met and married his first love, Marie (Terry) Tauriainen, and from this union five children were born, Joseph, Roberta, Dianna, Bryant and Susie. Joe and Terry divorced in 1972. In 1973, Joe married Rosalyn M. Rowe who preceded him in death earlier this spring, on May 6. At the beginning of World War II, he attended trade school in Butte where he learned to be a welder and in 1942 he moved his family to San Francisco where he worked in the shipyards. He was anxious to serve in the Armed Forces and, along with his brother Paul, they joined the United States Maritime Service (The Merchant Marines). He served in the Pacific as a staff officer on the SS Sea Scamp, a troop carrier with 3,000 on board. He later served in the same capacity on the SS David E. Hughes, ending his service on Dec. 3, 1945. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Coast Guard. He was a proud member of the Butte Plumber s Local 41 beginning in 1945. In 1946 he moved from Butte to Helena and started what became the Reber Company at the age of 26. He lived in a room at what was then the YMCA, and on occasion, answered the telephone at the Y, Hello, this is the Reber Company. A few years later, he would travel around town, with the kids in the back of the car looking for basement foundations that needed plumbing. The Reber Company would later maintain offices in Helena, Great Falls, South Dakota and perform contracts throughout the West. During this time, he also owned and operated the Finlen Hotel in Butte, the Rainbow Hotel in Great Falls and Reber Realty and Development Company, and other businesses. Our dad had four passions in his life: His family, his work, politics and public service. He spent 40 years in public service in many capacities, serving under six governors, from Bonner to Schweitzer. In 1968, he was appointed to serve in the State Senate seat in Lewis and Clark County. His proudest achievement was carrying the bill that created the Montana Vo-Tech system. This system is now a part of the University of Montana. In addition, he revived the bill, creating legislation that established the new Montana Constitution. He was very active in the Democratic Party. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions, when they really meant something, in 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1976 and 1980. He was instrumental in gaining the needed votes to nominate John F. Kennedy for the presidency, and had hosted Senator Kennedy at his home in Helena in 1960. During his political career he met Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton. More recently, he was in contact with Senator Ted Kennedy before he passed on, and was mentioned in the Senator s recent biography. He was a member of the Carroll College Board of Development and instrumental in fundraising for the expansion of that campus. He was awarded an honorary doctor of Laws by Carroll College in 1965. In 1968, the University of Montana awarded him a Certificate of Accomplishment in appreciation of the successful establishment of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. and in 2000 the University of Montana also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his efforts in passing the legislation to create the Vo-Tech system. After his retirement, he and Roz spent 30 years in Indian Wells, Calif., where he served as coordinator of the Bob Hope Classic Golf Tournament for many years. He lived an extraordinary life: He received a high school diploma; without going to high school. He became an apprentice welder in the union; without the required years of experience. He became an officer in the Merchant Marine; without education or officer training. He was a state senator; without ever being elected. He received two college degrees (Carroll and University of Montana); without ever attending a day of classes. In each area he earned his status in an unconventional way and in each area above he excelled in representing whatever it was that was expected of him. He will be missed by his family: Joseph E. and Nikki of Marina Del Ray, Bobbie Corette of Bigfork, Dianna Riley and Larry of Missoula, Bryant and Nonie of Boulder, Colo., and Polson, Susie and Tom Orr of Missoula; his grandchildren, who he used to muster and they would all fall into line: Lorrie Corette Campbell of Butte, Chris Noyd and Steve of Missoula, Shannon Reilley of St. Ignatius, Molly Blakely and Van of Missoula, Christine Riley of Eugene Ore., Michael Riley of Lehigh Acres, Fla., Jordan Riley and Porsche of Missoula, Pate Reber of Denver, Sarah Reber and Ben of Los Angeles, Zachary Reber and Brady of Oakland, Calif., Emily Reber of Seattle, Sam and Katie Orr of Missoula, and Rebecca Reber of Marina Del Ray, Calif.; and his great-grandchildren, Ariel, Land and Meadow Riley, Ian and Emily Campbell, Reed Noyd, Emma and Sally Blakely, Jack Reber Denckla, and Nona, Shanae and Lamar Reber. He had a way with children, and there were many other kids in his life who called him Grampa. On July 4, 2002, The Reber Broadwater Cupola Park was dedicated in his memory by the people of Helena. Our family would like to thank his many caregivers whom he also loved to tell his stories to, Becca and Doris, Angie Rogers of Partners Hospice, Sallie and Lynn at the Springs, and Donn Walmsley, who became an extraordinary friend and helper to Dad. Please know if anyone was omitted that your help was so appreciated. We will miss his intelligence, humor, determination and passion for living. There will be a celebration of his life at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Missoula. Cremation has taken place, and ashes will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Any memorials may be sent to Partners Hospice, 2687 Palmer Street, Missoula MT 59808; The Food Bank, 219 S. 3rd Street West, Missoula, MT 59802; and The Missoula Children s Theater, 200 N. Adams St., Missoula, MT 59802. He leaves behind this quote by A. Sachs, Death is more universal than life: Everyone dies but not everyone lives. Condolences may be sent to www.missoulafuneralhomes.com