Louis Charles Reichman

April 5, 2023

Louis was born to Dr. Martin and Mrs. Margaret Hoeckele Reichman at the Veterans Hospital in Quincy, Illinois on April 4, 1935, where his father was a staff doctor. After his father passed away when Louis was only 7 years old, his mother moved to St. Louis, Missouri with Louis, and his younger sister Helen Ann. Louis and his sister grew up in a large loving, extended family. Louis – or Chuck to his St. Louis friends and relatives, graduated from Epiphany parochial grade school in 1949. His church, school, gym, where he was a basketball gym rat, and bowling alley, where he set pins to earn a buck or two, were a half block from the family home in Southwest St. Louis. If he and his sister ran hard, they could take recess and lunch breaks at home listening for the hand rung bell at school signaling lineup and march in.

Louis sold newspapers at night as a youngster and brought home some helpful money and good stories about big tippers and cheapskates. He sold enough newspapers that it all added up to good spending money although he turned most of it over to his mom, “Grandma Maggie”, who saved it up and later gave back enough to Louis to buy a new car as a wedding present. It was the late 40s and early 50s. He worked as a summer-time lifeguard at nearby swimming pools, and ushered for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. He attended Saint Mary’s High School, where he played basketball, football and baseball, graduating in 1953.

Louis was a volunteer draftee into the US Army from 1954 to 1956, stationed in Germany for most of that time, receiving an honorable discharge in October 1956. Upon returning to civilian life in St. Louis he earned his Bachelor’s (1959) and Master’s (1962) degrees in American history from St. Louis University.

Louis fell in love with and married his soulmate Peggy Lunn from Old Hickory Tennessee in 1960. After he taught for three years in St. Louis area junior and senior high schools, Louis and Peggy moved to Anaheim California, where he taught American government for five years at Magnolia High School. In 1967, Louis began a 35-year teaching career (American and California History and Political Science) at Fullerton College.

By 1976 the family had expanded to four sons and a daughter. They graduated from Saint Mary’s parochial grade school next-door to the Fullerton Boys Club (and gym) reminding Louis of his gym rat days back at Epiphany grade school in St. Louis. Louis earned a PhD in education from the University of Southern California in 1973. It took him 7 years. He called it his “freeway degree”. He co-authored and edited several books on American and Orange County History, Political Science and Sociology. Louis had a passion for history and politics and always enjoyed conversations about those and related topics, and despite his academic background listened to and respected the ideas and opinions of others. “Dr. Reichman” was beloved by his students and truly believed in the value of the community college system. He always wanted his students to learn and to succeed and made himself available for whatever support they might need. Louis beamed with pride to hear from former students who thanked him, some mentioning how he inspired them to do everything from obtain a degree or pursue their own careers in academia.

At Fullerton College, Louis was active in the California Teachers Association serving as United Faculty Chapter President for two years in the late 80s and early 90s.

As a family man, “Coach Lou” coached his four boys in basketball at the Boy’s Club and NJB. But the most basketball fun was playing “buckets” at the home alley basketball court. Louis was a lifelong jogger and was seen and acknowledged with a honk by nearly all his family, friends, colleagues and neighbors at some time or another as he jogged the streets of Fullerton. He would always respond with a grin and a waive. Louis and Peggy proudly celebrated the accomplishments and milestones of their children and grandchildren throughout the years.

After his retirement in 2002, the 2000’s provided a panorama of Grandma (“GMA”) and Grandpa (“GPA”) highlights, always involving his kids and grandkids and lots of travel. The Lake Tahoe condo was an all-season gathering place for many years. There were cruises, European and US travels combining family, fun and history. Louis was the family photographer/historian and documented it all with photos taken on disposable box cameras which he would develop and lovingly assemble into photo albums complete with his unmistakable handwritten notes.

Louis passed away peacefully at home in comfort surrounded by his loving family. Louis is survived by his wife of 62 years, Peggy, sons Martin (Keely), John (Julie), Mark (Lois), Matthew (Christie), and daughter Joan, sister Helen Ann, ten grandchildren, as well as a number of great grandchildren, and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Louis’ funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fullerton at 9:00 a.m. on April 29, 2023. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary’s High School, 4701 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis MO, 63111. www.stmaryshs.com.

FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.

FINISHED THE RACE.

KEPT THE FAITH.