Robert Reeder
CHAUTAUQUA — Robert Reeder, born in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of Gabriel and Fanny Reeder, passed away July 17, 2018, at the age of 84 years. He attended Cornell University and graduated from Syracuse Law School in 1957, where he was on the editorial board of the Syracuse Law Revue. He married Carole Garfield in 1955.
He is survived by his wife, Carole: sons: Jonathan (Ruud) and Daniel (Lisa); daughter Amy; four grandsons: Alex, Ben, Jacob and Nathan Reeder; a great-granddaughter, Madeline; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bob and Carole were foster parents and host parents for exchange students for over 40 children.
Bob practiced law in Binghamton as a partner with Levene, Guldin and Thompson from 1958-91. He was a past president of the Broome County Bar Association. He was on the Temple Israel for many years.
He and Carole retired to Myrtle Beach where they were docents at Brookgreen Gardens and Guardian ad Litem for children in foster care. There, too, he was on the board of Temple Emanu-El.
Bob and Carole were active in PFLAG in Binghamton, Myrtle Beach and Chautauqua, where he was president for several years and on the national board of PFLAG where he lobbied in Albany and Washington for GLBT rights.
Bob and Carole have been permanent residents of Chautauqua for 10 years. He was a tour bus guide who always had a story and a joke. He enjoyed the many lectures and programs at the Chautauqua Institution.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the charity of your choice.
The family will sit Shivah at their residence, 90 Harper, Chautauqua from Wednesday morning to Friday at 3 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.
To leave a remembrance or post a condolence, please visit freayfuneralhome.com.