Obituary: Richard Allen Reece

Born in Eugene and transplanted to Salem at age 10, Rich worked his way up the Willamette Valley to spend his adulthood in Portland. Even as a small child in Eugene, he was a neighborhood personality, legendarily walking at age 4 with a toddler buddy to the local grocery store to buy a pack of gum—and leaving behind a hand-drawn map as to their whereabouts. When young, he starred in several commercials for the local Bob’s Burgers chain, and later for Wunderland in Salem. He kept up his early connections throughout his life, continuing to attend jazz concerts hosted by his elementary school teacher even in the past few years.

In Salem, Rich attended Sprague High School, where he knew nearly everyone and served as unofficial mayor of the student body. Following in the footsteps of both his namesake father and grandfather, his interest in drumming flourished, and he played in a band called Y.I.A. with a group who became lifelong friends. Rich was well known for his hand-me-down Mercury station wagon, nicknamed “The Mercmobile,” which could haul carloads of friends and music gear. Rich won many awards on the speech and debate team, surprising no one who ever shared a spirited conversation with him or heard his famous “radio voice” on the school announcements.

After graduating from Sprague in 1994, Rich returned to the Eugene area to attend the University of Oregon. He began taking flying lessons, eventually earning his commercial pilot’s license, and he became quite active at KWVA, the university radio station. He moved to Portland in 1999, establishing a home and an active life in the Kenton neighborhood. When he met his life partner Katie in 2009, she was finishing a PhD, but Rich ultimately had more degrees than she: AAS in flight technology (Lane CC), AAS in Spanish and economics (Portland CC), BA in geography and BS in economics (both PSU). And while no certificates were conferred, quitting alcohol and cigarettes are feats he was equally proud of.

In Portland, he worked in a wide variety of industries and areas, communicating Oregon’s cultural heritage while making friends and supporting colleagues wherever he went. From Zupan’s to AAA to the Wilsonville Chevrolet dealership, to Hillsboro Aero Academy, to the Portland Tribune and Venture Portland and Travel Portland, Rich followed his interests, which were legion. He was an expert on so much. He could have conversations on almost anything, with anyone: percussion, politics down to the hyperlocal level, Oregon history (he was proudly fourth generation at Sea Lion Caves on the coast north of Florence), Steely Dan, Toto, Stevie Wonder, The Simpsons, anything aviation related, cookie baking, cats, travel and how to do it on a budget, jazz, rock, and funk.

Friends knew they could count on Rich for a literary deep dive, a long-term bandmate or a fill-in drummer on a moment’s notice, a willing companion on an adventure, and a sage reminder to treat others with kindness and grace. He had an incredible memory, and he will remain in ours forever.

He is preceded in death by his sister Gina Harp (2007) and his mother Carol Reece (2022). He is survived by his life partner Katrina Van Heest; father Richard Reece; aunts Mary Jacobson and Marigay Schopp; uncle Randy Reece; grandmother Joann Reece Hilliard; sisters Sarah Reece-Stremtan (Dacian), Mary Reece Mundal (Tom), and Cara Reece; and cousin Jonathan Kleinow. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews to whom he was so devoted: Margo, Jacob, Clara, William, Alexandru, Henry, Killian, Annalise, Finnegan, and Alice.

(Rich had a hereditary condition called Lynch syndrome, which caused the cancer that led to his untimely death. He knew about the genetic mutation and received all recommended screening and care; he was a tireless advocate for others with Lynch and he hoped that by sharing his diagnosis he might increase awareness that could save someone else. He especially supported—and was supported by—Alive and Kick’n. To donate, visit https://www.aliveandkickn.org/donate-now .)

Celebration of life to be held Sunday, May 18, 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Revolution Hall. Open house to take place Saturday, May 17, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at his father’s home in Salem.

–Submitted information

GUIDE: Publishing an obituary on Salem Reporter

Les Zaitz

Les Zaitz is editor and CEO of Salem Reporter. He co-founded the news organization in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for nearly 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is nationally recognized for his commitment to local journalism. He also is editor and publisher of the Malheur Enterprise in Vale, Oregon.