Herbert Reff

November 30, 1938 – October 14, 2012

Herbert Samuel Reff was born to Maurice and Anna Reff on November 30, 1938. He had four siblings, Judy, Arlene, Irene and David. He grew up in Astoria, Queens and although he spent most of his life in Washington, DC, Herb never stopped being a New Yorker. In his youth, Herb was actively involved in the Boy Scouts of America – he never stopped being a boy scout either.

Herb received a Bachelor of Science in Physics from City College of New York and went on to do graduate work in physics and math at Syracuse University and the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the National Institutes of Health. In 1967, Herb presented his paper on a mathematical model for whiplash and head impact, co-authored by Associate Neurosurgeon of the NIH Institute of Neurological Disease and Blindness, Dr. Ayub K. Ommaya, at the 7th International Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering in Stockholm, Sweden. He received a Master of Science degree in Technology of Management from American University, in 1979.

Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., Herb worked at a U.S. Air Force base in Rome, New York. He later joined the U.S. Social Security Department in Washington, D.C. as a Computer Systems Analyst in the Division of Economic Research. In 1975, Herb assisted with the Interagency Task Force for Indochina Refugees in conjunction with the State Department. He also assisted with the resettlement effort for Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. In his neighborhood, Herb was a community activist, serving as President of the Reno Road Coalition and actively participating in local politics. He also engaged in volunteer activities, such as cooking meals for the homeless at Christ House.

In addition to his work at the Social Security Administration, Herb worked as an adjunct computer professor at the University of the District of Columbia. When he retired from the federal government, Herb became a substitute teacher in the D.C. Public Schools.

Herb was a certified scuba diver, a fisherman, a fix-it man, and a gentleman. He enjoyed traveling, music, Malbec, skiing, swimming, talking politics, and of course, a good cup of coffee. Herb and his dog Simón were staples of Friendship Heights and Chevy Chase.

Most everyone who knew Herb, knew a lot about his wife of 39 years, María del Rosario Maldonado Reff, his three children, Jonathan, Rosanna, and María Rachel, his sons-in-law, Gregg DeMammos and Damien Coor, and his five grandchildren, Demetrius, Marcus, María Cecilia, Xavier, and Santiago.

Known as “Herb,” to his friends, “Herbie” to his extended family, and “Dude” to his grandkids, Herb was a blessing to all of those he touched through his stories, his laughter, his smile, his generosity, and his spirit. He was a dedicated husband and a phenomenal father. He was a wonderful grandfather, brother, son, in-law, uncle and friend. Words cannot characterize the joy of his presence or describe the loss of his passing. He will be sorely missed, but his spirit will be kept alive through his family and friends.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Memorial Service

Rabbi Scott Perlo

Family Members

Following the service, those who would like to proceed to the burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Aspen Hill, Maryland are invited to do so. In lieu of flowers, family members request that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the name of Herbert S. Reff.

“Tú me acostumbraste”

- Frank Dominguez

Tú me acostumbraste

A todas esas cosas

Y tú me enseñaste

Que son maravillosas

Sutil, llegaste a mi

Como la tentación

Llenando de inquietud

Mi corazón

Yo no concebía

Como se quería

En tu mundo raro

Y por ti aprendí

Por eso me pregunto

Al ver que me olvidaste

Por que no me enseñaste

Como se vive sin ti

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft star-shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

- Mary Elizabeth Frye