Roy
Roy W. Reabe
d. May 24, 2015
1921-2015
Roy W. Reabe, 94, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2015 at his home in Waupun, with his wife and family at his side.
Roy was born February 28, 1921 in Otter Tail County, MN the son of Frank W. and Lottie J. Severson Reabe. As a young child Roy and his family moved to the Iron Ridge/Mayville area. Roy married Helen Hilbert on June 10, 1947 in Mayville, WI. Roy’s lifelong interest was aviation, beginning at age 6 when he went for his first plane ride in an open cockpit barnstormer. He began to realize his dream by learning to fly in Waukesha, WI. Roy served his country during WWII as a flight instructor, fighter aircraft delivery pilot, and flying troops and supplies over the Himalayan Mountains between India and China. He returned in January 1946 and opened the Waupun Airport. Roy provided flight instruction, charter, fire patrol and crop spraying services while Helen took care of the office. In 1966 Roy and Helen expanded the business into Plainfield and Plover, WI. Roy’s four sons and one grandson continue his aviation legacy today operating Reabe Spraying Service in Waupun, Plainfield and Plover, WI. Roy was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame and received both the Federal Aviation Administration Master Pilot and Master Mechanic Awards. Roy accumulated over 30,000 hours of flight time and taught over 1000 people to fly including his four sons and five of his grandchildren. He often said, “I was very fortunate to earn a living doing what I love.” If one word could describe what was most important to Roy, it would be “family”. His greatest joy in life was spending time with Helen, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Helen went to great lengths to instill family values, integrity and an intense work ethic into all of their lives.
Roy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen; a daughter, Bonita Rosenthal (David Vandre) of Almond, WI; four sons: Thomas (Jill) Reabe of Waupun and their sons, Damon & Nathan; J.R. (Teresa) Reabe of Plover and their children, Matthew, Brent, Christa, Sarah, and Becky; Jeffrey (Marcie) Reabe of Plainfield and their children, Gretchen, Troy, Heath, and Tyler; and Robert Reabe of Waupun; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Gordon Reabe and Lawrence Severson; four sisters: Helen Scharnell, Fern Justman, Jeannette Steger and Opal Pankow; brothers-in-law: Frank Scharnell and Norbert Justman; sister-in-law, Eleanor Severson; grandson, Joshua Reabe; and daughter-in-law, Diana Reabe.
Visitation:
Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday at the Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. to the time of the service.
Services:
Funeral services for Roy Reabe will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun with Rev. Lee Zortman officiating.
Burial:
Burial will follow at Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun where military rites will be provided by American Legion Post 521.
Special Thanks:
The family thanks the in-home caregivers for their dedication and the loving care they provided. Memorials may be directed to Agnesian Hospice Hope in Fond du Lac, WI.
Roy W. Reabe, 94, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2015 at his home in Waupun, with his wife and family at his side.
Roy was born February 28, 1921 in Otter Tail County, MN the son of Frank W. and Lottie J. Severson Reabe. As a young child Roy and his family moved to the Iron Ridge/Mayville area. Roy married Helen Hilbert on June 10, 1947 in Mayville, WI. Roy’s lifelong interest was aviation, beginning at age 6 when he went for his first plane ride in an open cockpit barnstormer. He began to realize his dream by learning to fly in Waukesha, WI. Roy served his country during WWII as a flight instructor, fighter aircraft delivery pilot, and flying troops and supplies over the Himalayan Mountains between India and China. He returned in January 1946 and opened the Waupun Airport. Roy provided flight instruction, charter, fire patrol and crop spraying services while Helen took care of the office. In 1966 Roy and Helen expanded the business into Plainfield and Plover, WI. Roy’s four sons and one grandson continue his aviation legacy today operating Reabe Spraying Service in Waupun, Plainfield and Plover, WI. Roy was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame and received both the Federal Aviation Administration Master Pilot and Master Mechanic Awards. Roy accumulated over 30,000 hours of flight time and taught over 1000 people to fly including his four sons and five of his grandchildren. He often said, “I was very fortunate to earn a living doing what I love.” If one word could describe what was most important to Roy, it would be “family”. His greatest joy in life was spending time with Helen, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Helen went to great lengths to instill family values, integrity and an intense work ethic into all of their lives.
Roy is survived by his wife of 68 years, Helen; a daughter, Bonita Rosenthal (David Vandre) of Almond, WI; four sons: Thomas (Jill) Reabe of Waupun and their sons, Damon & Nathan; J.R. (Teresa) Reabe of Plover and their children, Matthew, Brent, Christa, Sarah, and Becky; Jeffrey (Marcie) Reabe of Plainfield and their children, Gretchen, Troy, Heath, and Tyler; and Robert Reabe of Waupun; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: Gordon Reabe and Lawrence Severson; four sisters: Helen Scharnell, Fern Justman, Jeannette Steger and Opal Pankow; brothers-in-law: Frank Scharnell and Norbert Justman; sister-in-law, Eleanor Severson; grandson, Joshua Reabe; and daughter-in-law, Diana Reabe.
Visitation:
Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday at the Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. to the time of the service.
Services:
Funeral services for Roy Reabe will be held Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun with Rev. Lee Zortman officiating.
Burial:
Burial will follow at Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun where military rites will be provided by American Legion Post 521.
Special Thanks:
The family thanks the in-home caregivers for their dedication and the loving care they provided. Memorials may be directed to Agnesian Hospice Hope in Fond du Lac, WI.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roy W. Reabe, please visit our flower store.
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