Theodore Reis

Theodore (Ted) LeVern Reis, was born August 25, 1942, in Greenfield, Iowa and died June 20, 2014, in Carrollton, Texas at the age of 71. Ted’s education included graduating from Greenfield High School in 1961; BA in English, Speech and Theatre from Drake University in 1965; and MFA in Theatre from University of Wyoming in 1969.

He taught for three years at Estherville High School in Estherville, Iowa from 1965 to 1968, and was a professor of Speech at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 1969 to 1976, where he also was the Debate Coach.

Ted held numerous positions at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for nearly 30 years, from 1976 to 2005, including Director of Personnel, Public Affairs Officer and Manager of Taxpayer Phone Service, in Des Moines, Jacksonville, Milwaukee, and Dallas.

His theater life began at Drake University as an undergrad, where he also was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He performed Summer Stock theatre in Plattsburgh, New York, Moorhead, Minnesota, and Harrodsburg, Kentucky. He was in numerous productions at the Des Moines Community Playhouse in Des Moines, where he was best known for his villain roles, such as Captain Hook and Ebenezer Scrooge. He was Creative Director of the Drama Workshop (now StageWest) in Des Moines for several years, where he both performed and directed. His favorite directing experiences included Sweeney Todd, Candide, The Kentucky Cycle and Assassins. He also performed at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, Wisconsin and the Greater Lewisville Community Theatre in Lewisville, Texas.

Ted was an avid reader of science fiction, a runner and a golfer.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Evelyn Frank Reis, and his father, LeVern John Reis.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy (of Carrollton, Texas); daughter, Emily Abbas (of Des Moines, Iowa), her husband Cory Abbas and two grandsons, Rowen and Crey; a step-daughter Katie Petersen, whom he loved as his own; brother James Reis and wife Diane; brother John Reis and wife Diane, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2014, at Rhoton Funeral Home, 1511 South I-35 E in Carrollton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Rich-Tone Chorus, P.O. Box 832978, Richardson TX 75083.

A memorial open house will be also be held at the Des Moines Community Playhouse (831 – 42ndStreet in Des Moines) from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 12. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent tothe Des Moines Community Playhouse at 831 – 42ndStreet, Des Moines, IA 50312.