Dr. Glenn B. Rea

Glenn “Doc” Bernard Rea passed away peacefully in his sleep at Salem Hospital with family by his side on August 25, 2015. Glenn was born on July 26, 1918 in Garden City, South Dakota to Clarence Rea and Olive (Seaver) Rea. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1936, along with 14 classmates, including his sweetheart, Deloryce Peterson. She was the class Valedictorian and he wrote the humorous “Class Prophecy”, predicting and describing future intergalactic travel with his classmates. Glenn attended South Dakota State University where he joined the National Guard and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Husbandry in 1940 and joined the United States Military, initially serving in the Horse Cavalry, and assisted in its closure. He continued to serve in the Army Air Corps and during WWII, Glenn was a Major in the Air Force stationed in Africa as a supply officer. Being an avid horseman, he was referred to as “that wild Yank”, while playing for the British during their polo matches. Glenn and Deloryce were married on June 19, 1942. He worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, then graduated from Kansas State University in 1949 with a Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine. He opened a large animal practice in Clark, South Dakota and loved flying his airplane to farms and ranches throughout neighboring counties, providing veterinary services. He and Deloryce had four daughters, Catherine (Cathy), Connie, Peggy and Betsy. Glenn was appointed State Veterinarian of South Dakota and relocated with his family to Pierre, South Dakota. He later accepted a position as Chief of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Staff Veterinarian for the Government of the Island of Guam. He enjoyed job related travel throughout the Marianas and Micronesian Islands and he and his family loved island life. While living on Guam, he and Deloryce took the girls on a trip around the world, visiting 22 countries, a highlight of their lives. The family later returned to the States where Glenn became the State Veterinarian of Oregon, and continued in that position until he retired. He subsequently accepted a special assignment for the United States Federal Government’s Animal Health Services, in the South American Country of Colombia. After completing his service, he focused on his passion of raising Santa Gertrudis cattle at his family “farm” outside of Salem. He spent summers at the State Fair where he loved being a part of the livestock fair scene and showing his cattle with the help of his older grandchildren and “adopted” grandson/neighbor “Matt”, who learned and worked alongside Grandpa. Glenn was a long term member of several community, professional and faith organizations, including Rotary International, Future Farmers of America, Masons (past Master), Shriners, and was appointed President of the United States Animal Health Association in 1981. He volunteered at Sprague High School, MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, and through various service organizations. Glenn was retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Lt. Col. and in 2012 was selected for the Inaugural Alaskan Airlines Honors Flight for World War II veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. He was a member of Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and believed we are all spiritual beings living a temporary human existence. Glenn was an accomplished singer, musician, writer, and agriculturist who loved animals, being outdoors, travelling, and took pleasure in observing herds of cattle and open fields of crops. He enjoyed sports and was an avid OSU Beaver fan. As a young man he played semi-pro basketball, once competing against The Harlem Globetrotters. Most of all he was a deeply rooted family man with strong values and convictions. He felt blessed to be an American, and was committed to honoring cultural diversity and understanding differences, while recognizing the commonalities of humankind. Glenn was preceded in death by his mother, Olive Rea, father, Clarence Rea and “kid brother”, Wendell Rea. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Glenn is survived by beloved wife, Deloryce (with whom he recently celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary), daughters Catherine Gray, Connie (Paul) Wymore, Peggy Robertson and Betsy Evans, along with seven grandchildren (and spouses), ten (soon to be eleven) great-grandchildren and Fraser, Dale, Peat and Leonard, all so dear to his heart. Glenn was an adventurous man who lived life to the fullest. He once said that he wanted to be remembered for leaving this world a better place than when he entered it, and he certainly did. Some might remember him as a somewhat “colorful character” with his gregarious personality, dressed in his standard cowboy hat and boots and later his valued WW II cap. To those who truly knew him he was a well-intended, intelligent, knowledgeable, very strong man, who enjoyed an occasional drink of Scotch, loved sharing a good joke or story, was an innovative leader, sought enlightenment, and was an advocate for the disenfranchised and the welfare of the world. Glenn will be so greatly missed by those who loved him and who benefitted from his care and concern. He leaves a formidable legacy and his Celebration of Life service will be held in the afternoon on September 12, 2015. Date and time will be confirmed in a death notice to be published on Wednesday. Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery on September 15, 2015 at 2:00 PM. Glenn’s family suggests donations in his name to the support and education of Native American Indian children, Wounded Veterans, Multiple Sclerosis Society and Habitat for Humanity, or charity of choice. His family is grateful to Dr. Pierce and the caring, supportive staff of the Oncology Unit at Salem Hospital as well as Willamette Valley Hospice and hospital volunteers who helped make Glenn’s final earthly journey peaceful and comfortable for all. We believe he would want to say farewell with his often recited favored Irish Blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Arrangements by Howell, Edwards, Doerksen Funeral Home