Robert E. Reed

Robert E. Reed, 94, of Dover died Tuesday, July 25 2023 in the Community Hospice (Truman) House following a period of declining health. 

Born Sept. 5, 1928 in Wilmot, Ohio, he was the son of the late Arthur W. and Laura (Maurer) Reed. 

He retired in 1989 as a maintenance machinist for the Norfolk & Southern Railroad in Brewster where he worked for 44 years. 

He was a member of the Local 1412 International Assn. of Machinists for nearly 52 years where he previously served as president and chairman.  He was also an executive board member of district lodges for 15 years.  While working for the railroad, Bob was also employed by the former Dover Motor Car Company from 1960-88.

He took a keen interest in politics having retired from the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections and was featured on the Discovery television channel’s 2004 documentary “Ballot Battles” in which he demonstrated the proper method of cleaning voting machines.  After moving to Dover, Bob served as a Dover Democratic Precinct Committeeman for twenty years and was Chairman and Dover Democratic City Chairman for 15 years.  He also held the position of Tuscarawas County Central Committee Chairman for nearly 12 years.  For his dedication to the Democratic Party, he received the Robert E. Moore Award for his service.  He was a graduate of the former Beach City High School in 1946 and a US Army veteran.  Bob was also an avid outdoorsman having enjoyed fishing and hunting and especially talking politics and drinking a beer with his friends. He always looked forward to hosting his family at their squirrel suppers held at their camp near Killbuck. His favorite holiday was Christmas and always felt blessed with his many years of life.

Bob will be sadly missed by his family including his wife, Ellen “Lynn” (Krankovich) Krantz Reed with whom he would have celebrated 20 years this Sept. 27; two daughters, Brenda (Jim) Smeal of Coshocton and Nancy (Roger) Tyler of Lady Lake, Florida; eight grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and a great great grandchild. 

Funeral Services will be held Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 at 4pm in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory at Dover with Pastor Don Snow officiating.  Military honors by the New Philadelphia VFW will follow with a reception in the Famous Endings Museum.  Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 2-4pm.   Friends can sign the online guestbook by visiting the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com