Robert Howe Dicks Reily

He was born August 4, 1927 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late James Weaks Reily and Gladys Eustis Reily. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years Margaret Hilzim Reily, and his brothers James Weaks Reily Jr., Horatio Eustis Reily, and William Reily.

He is survived by his four children Sean Dicks Reily (Leanne), Kevin Buford Reily (Katie), Torrey Eustis Reily, and James Harrington Reily (Debbie); his grand-children Colin Robert Reily, Paul Silas Reily, William Patrick Reily, Kathleen Rose Reily, Erin Curry Reily, and Ian Harrington Reily; and his great-grandsons Harrison Crews Reily, and Naveen Christopher Reily.

He attended Darlington School in Rome Georgia, and graduated from the Tulane University School of Business where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. There he met the love of his life Margaret whom he married in 1951. After graduating, he joined the U.S. Navy, and served in the Korean War.

After his term in the Navy, he began a career at Price Waterhouse & Co. He later went to work with his family coffee business at William B. Reily & Co. where he eventually took the positions of vice president, chairman of the board, and president of The Standard Companies, a subsidiary.

By nature he was a generous, kind and gentle man. But at the same time he was a risk taker, relentless in finding ways to move forward and gain traction in his civic and community service endeavors. He had a special passion for the advancement and betterment of education in the New Orleans area. Notably, he was a founding board member of New Schools for New Orleans, vice-chairman for Orleans Public School Network (OPEN), founding co-chair of Greater New Orleans Education Foundation, board member of Center for Development and Learning, a board member of Teach For America (Greater New Orleans/Louisiana Delta), and a founding board member of the Silverback Society in 2012. He was also president of the Metairie Park Country Day School parent’s association and chairman of its board of trustees, and a vestry member at Trinity Episcopal Church. He was a longtime member of the Louisiana Club, New Orleans Country Club, and the Lake Shore Club. He was a member of the Manresa retreatants for many years. In his younger days, he enjoyed sailing, hunting, tennis, and golf. He was also an avid snow skier well into his 80s, and enjoyed taking the family on ski trips where he particularly relished the family meals together.

He very much enjoyed nature and supported diverse causes for its preservation, some of which include the Smokey Mountains, nature preserves in Louisiana, and the coral reefs of the Fiji Islands.

The family would like to thank Bob’s home caregivers for all of their good work, loving care and friendship: Carol, Caroline, Danica, Debby, Felicita, Keisha, Lisa, Lorraine, Lynn, Mayrie and Victoria.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from 1:00PM until 3:00PM. A funeral service will follow in the Chapel of the funeral home at 3:00PM. The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Greater New Orleans Foundation, www.gnof.org.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.