Robert Neil Reid

Robert “Bob” Neil Reid, 76, of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024 at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. He was born in Somers Point, New Jersey and graduated from Ursinus College in 1969 and obtained his Certification in Public Accounting soon thereafter.

Bob quickly put his adept skills with numbers and dollars to work, proving himself a self-made man who specialized in difficult assignments requiring new and creative solutions to tough problems. Bob achieved a vibrant, successful, and distinguished professional career in finance and government services. Early on he worked for Arthur Anderson, Main LaFrentz, and ARA Services. Just over 5 years into his career, Bob began his service to the transportation industry, holding positions such as Controller, Chief of Financial and Accounting Systems, and Director of Finance. In these positions Bob was instrumental in the redirection and planning of Conrail’s capital programs and its acquisition and transfer of rail lines from bankrupt railroads, completely revitalizing rail systems from imminent collapse into successful operations returning annual profits exceeding $1 billion. Bob then began his service to municipal governments as the Group Controller for the Washington, D.C. Government, serving in Mayor Marion Barry’s administration. From there Bob’s strategic and executive proficiency earned him work opportunities with the D.C. Lottery, first as Controller and then as the lottery’s CFO and Associate Director of Finance and Administration. Bob then returned to the D.C. to serve as Controller after which he also served briefly for the city of Alexandria, VA. Bob’s capstone was his Senior Executive Service for the U.S. Department of the Treasury as the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Accounting Operations). Over the years Bob was recognized with numerous awards for distinguished and devoted service and for his leadership in the Association of Government Accountants. He also worked in several self-employed capacities as a consultant, tax accountant, and real estate agent. After 40 years of service producing lasting results in profitability and efficiency from which his legacy will continue to benefit Americans for many generations to come, having completed his own custom designed dream home on Solomons Island, MD, Bob happily retired in 2008.

Bob’s leisure pursuits were also vibrant and diverse. Bob enjoyed RC hobbies, initially with model airplanes and later RC sailboats. While working in Maryland, Bob was an avid sail boater on the Chesapeake Bay, regularly participating in local competitive races. While working in D.C., Bob spent most of his weekends at Lake of the Woods in Fredericksburg, VA, where he devotedly worked on a life-long model railroad, housed by the 2.5-story home’s entire basement. During the week Bob could be spotted having a cocktail and catching his neighborhood friends up on NASCAR and football at places such as Shooter McGee’s. Later in life, Bob accomplished his goal of owning his own sailboat. Regularly taking multi-day trips on his Seafarer 30, the As Mó Rain (Gaelic for “Out of My Mind”), Bob enjoyed time with his wife and other guests, many of whom he taught the basics of sailing. Bob also purchased a full size RV (Winnebago Journey) and took numerous extended trips all over the United States and Canada. As expected, Bob’s model railroading continued after retirement without missing a beat in the basement (entire floor of course) of his Solomons Island home, unquestionably leading to his being inducted by the National Model Railroad Association as a Master Model Railroader. After retirement Bob regularly presented at model railroad conventions and was continually recognized with model railroading awards Chief Dispatcher, Model Railroad Author, Railroad Engineer – Electrical, Railroad Engineer – Civil, Master Builder – Scenery, Master Builder – Cars, and Association Volunteer. Bob kept his mind sharp, adeptly solving the daily crossword each day, helping clients with their taxes, and community organizations with their finances. Bob’s final years were spent building and operating his model railroad (an entire room plus “just a little overflow”) in addition to enjoying time with his wife at their condo in Punta Gorda, at the local Isles Yacht Club, and at the Elks Club.

Bob was preceded in death by his father John Morrison Reid of Huntington Valley, PA and mother Martha (“Marty”) Ruth Reid of Lusby, MD. Survivors include his wife, Patricia “Patti” Ann Reid; daughter, Christine Reid Coulson; and three grandchildren, Wade, Brett and Abigail. Bob’s RV trips with Patti regularly included a stop in Huntsville, AL to visit his stepson William McNeese (Erica) and two step grandchildren, Abigail McNeese and Stirling McNeese.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the National Model Railroad Association, Inc. by selecting "DONATE TODAY" at https://www.nmra.org/charitable-donations