Livonia, NY: Edward Wilbur Reich, born November 17, 1942 and passed on August 10, 2022 at age 79. Son of the late Edward A. & Verna Reich, brother of Gloria Nelson, Lakeland, FL, uncle of Jillian Wilder, Plant City, FL. Also survived by many cousins in N.Y.S, New Jersey, and Texas.
Ed graduated from Alden Central School (1959), Cornell University (1963) with a major in Agriculture, Franklin Univ. (1975, Columbus, OH) majoring in Accounting, and the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College (1979). At Cornell he was a member of Alpha Zeta Agricultural Fraternity. He served 3 ½ years active duty in the U.S. Army, training in basic infantry, maintenance, logistics, and qualifying as a parachutist. He served 110 miles behind the then, “Iron Curtain”, in Berlin, Germany. One of his many assignments was to patrol Communist East Berlin as part of the Allied defense efforts. Upon discharge from active-duty Ed remained in the N.Y. & Ohio Army Reserve for 24 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Civilian employment included Lockwood Farm (Castile, N.Y.), the J.I. Case Tractor Co., U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and Internal Revenue Service. He retired in 2004 as a Certified Public Accountant assigned as IRS Field Group Manager of the Lorain, OH office. Subsequently he operated his small rental business.
Edward’s hobbies included home remodeling, skiing, fishing, and hunting. He participated on the Alden Central School, Cornell Univ., and Army Rifle teams. During Spring Semester 1962 he won the Ivy League Smallbore Championship. He has hunted on 6 continents, including 10 safaris in Africa. These included the countries of S. Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, & Burkina Faso, successfully bagging Africa’s “Big Five”. Ed also hunted Alaska, N. Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, Maine, Texas, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Australia, Bolivia, Argentina & Tajikistan. Eliminating woodchucks on his uncle’s Castile farm was also a priority. He was a life member of the NRA, 10-yr Treasurer of the local “Friends of the NRA”, 2010-11 president of the Livonia Kiwanis, member of the Mt. Morris Sportsmen’s Club, Livingston Co. Federation of Sportsmen’s Club, Conesus Lake Sportsmen’s Club, Dansville Fish & Game Club, Springwater Rod & Gun Club, Safari Club International, American Legion, and the Berlin US Military Veteran’s Association.
Family and friends may call on Friday, August 19th, from 2-4pm at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 21 Big Tree Street, Rte 20A, Livonia, NY where Ed’s Funeral Service will be held at 4pm, following calling hours. There will be a gathering at the Harrison-Lee American Legion Post 283 in Livonia Center following the service. A graveside service, with military honors, will be held at 11am on Saturday, August 20th, at Lancaster Rural Cemetery, 70 Cemetery Road, Lancaster, NY 14086. Memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s memory to the Harrison-Lee Post 283, 3850 Federal Road, Livonia, NY 14487, Mt. Morris Sportsman’s Club, PO Box 184, Mt. Morris, NY 14510, National Rifle Association, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030, or Livonia Kiwanis C/O Ann Holevinski, 6992 Coy Road, Livonia, NY 14487. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
To Ed, so sorry to hear of your passing. I always enjoyed talking hunting experiences with you at the 391st retiree luncheons. You are missed.
To Ed’s family, my condolences . Ed was one of the good ones and a valued member of the out-to-lunch-bunch. We are a group of military retirees that met the third Thursday each month to stay in touch and to stay current with matters of interest to our group. I truly hope Bob will continue to make the trip. Sincerely, Sherm Safford CSM US Army (Retired)
Dear Gloria and Family,
Ed and I were friends for over 65 years in our days at Alden Central School. I am deeply sorry for your….and our loss. He was a good man..caring..and very benevolent. I know that there are many who mourn at this time. It is hard to lose someone you love and care about. He was very special and I have always appreciated him for who he was…………….May God give you great comfort in these difficult times.
An Old Friend……Gil Dussault, Alden, NY
I met Ed just a short time ago. My dogs and I walk by his property every day. As we had just bought our new house, walking by Ed’s house was new to us. Unsure if he was dog-friendly, we began our acquaintance with just a friendly wave. My dogs however, took no time at all to realize Ed was someone worth meeting. It wasn’t long before my large dogs would drag me over to see Ed on his property, usually while he was out pruning his trees and shrubs. Ed was so easy to talk with and even petted my large (obnoxious!) beasts! We looked forward to seeing him, as we rounded the corner to the woods. Ed would joke he knew we were headed his way because any deer or coyotes that hadn’t gone in for the day would run through his yard up into the woods, lol! I knew a bit about Ed, but after reading his obit, I realized just how modest he was! “Do you hunt, Ed?” “..oh, a little, yes”, lol! Kika was the last to see him the week he passed, running right up off-leash to greet him while he gardened. I gave him a wave and a smile, as I called her back. One of our last conversations, he mentioned he was thinking about getting a dog. I said make sure she’s not crazy, lol! I will miss our morning visits. Thoughts and prayers to the family. He is in a better place.
Always enjoyed talking to Ed about farming, at class of 59 reunions.
i was sorry to hear of Col. Reich passing Only met him once to family his and friends i am so sorry may he RIP.
Very saddened to hear of Ed’s passing. We just saw and talked with him 10 days ago at our fathers memorial. He looked wonderful. We hope that would mean his passing was sudden and he didn’t suffer. We knew him for years as he devoted so much of his time to his community and his country, especially the 2nd amendment. He was a special man and will be missed by many.
Prayers to his family whom he loved so much!!
David and Linda Holevinski. Dallas Texas
So sorry. Ed will be greatly missed.
Going to miss my friend and neighbor lt col. A great hunter all over the world. Enjoyed all his stories,ect. When we finished on the phone I would say Semper fi and Ed would say airborne. So sorry Gloria and family. Clark and Jane young
To Ed’s family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Ed was a great guy and a dear friend, I will
miss him a great deal. I was his gunsmith and always looked forward to his visits.
Thursdays at the club will never be the same.
Mike C
To Ed’s Family and Friends,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss.
Thinking of you all, he was a wonderful person.
Dr. Ciornei and Staff
To Ed’s family and friends,
We are greatly saddened by his passing. He certainly was a great friend to us all, and we will miss him always. We loved him because he was such a great guy. Rest In Peace, dear Ed.
Ann and Bob
GLORIA, So sorry for your loss. ED and I go way back to Dec 1970 worked in USDA and then room mates and in the Ohio National Guard together. I still cannot believe it. I got his obits from the funeral home. Again,sorry for your loss. Bill R.