Robert Lee Reed

How do I put in to words the story about my hero, my example, of what a man can be if he is honest, honorable, loving, hardworking, humble, and true to his word?

He taught by example and always did the best he could. He was my rock. We did so many things together as a father and son and as friends. Dad was well respected in his trade Iron Workers Local 75.

He is as good of a father and friend, grandfather, and uncle as they come. I never felt alone because dad was always there for me. He paid it forward and I am honored to be his son.

He has earned a place in Heaven and to be with the people he loves. So goodbye for now dad. I will see you later.

Love,

Your son, friend, and greatest admirer. Robert Reed

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My dad lost his father when he was five years old, so he never had a stable family. When he married, his family was the most important thing to him. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children. He taught us to never say “can’t”. He said, “can’t never did nothing!”. He encouraged us to try things and to learn from our mistakes. Although he only had a grammar school education, he read the newspaper every day. I started reading with him during high school.

He told his children to learn a trade, or continue our education. When I began to drive, he taught me how to change a tire and how to check fluid levels in my car. He expected an honest days work for an honest days pay. All work was important, and no one was better than anyone else. We were taught to work and save for things that we wanted. We learned to set goals. He told me to learn skills to make me self-reliant. All of us were allowed to discuss our opposition to the restrictions we had. Sometimes we won. The thing that gave me confidence to grow was being told that we could always come home.

Our vacations consisted mostly of camping and fishing. All of the children learned to take care of their fishing equipment, keep our campsite clean, and if we packed it in, we packed it out. We followed those rules all over Arizona.

Wherever we were, there was the love of family and love of our state.

-Beverly

Robert will be laid to rest privately with his beloved wife LaDawn at Resthaven Park Cemetery.