American Rifleman – September 2019

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In Memoriam: Robert R. Reese

R

obert R. Reese, 87, of Geneseo,
Ill., founder of Springeld
Armory, passed peacefully on
Saturday, June 22, 2019.
Robert Rost Reese was born on
June 27, 1931, in Moline, Ill., to
Thomas William and Ruby Rose (Rost)
Reese. Reese married Carol Schillinger
on June 25, 1952, in Geneseo, Ill.,
and went on to serve in the U.S.
Army National Guard at Camp Cooke
in Santa Barbara County, Calif. Upon
discharge from the Army, the Reeses
returned to the Midwest where he
began farming in Henry County, Ill.,
with his father.
In 1974, Reese resurrected the
“Springeld Armory” name, simul-
taneously preserving such histori-
cally signicant rearm designs as
the M1 Garand, the M14 and the
M1911 pistol. Reese, his wife, Carol,
and their son, Dennis, were the new
company’s rst employees, and were
later joined by sons Dave and Tom.

Together, the Reese family grew the

business to become a leader in the

rearm industry.

Reese was an avid competitive

shooter, hunter and fisherman, who

pursued those interests together

with Carol all over the world. At

17, he became the North American

Junior Trapshooting champion,

and he hunted big game well into

his late 70s, traveling to such

places as Mongolia, Azerbaijan, the

Amazon, Alaska and Africa. Reese

was a committed advocate for the

Second Amendment, who cherished

its significance and lived his life

guided by the principles of inde-

pendence and personal responsibil-

ity. He loved trips to Camp Perry,

exhibiting on Commercial Row and

supporting the Highpower Rifle

Championships and Bullseye Pistol

Championships. Reese was an NRA

Life member, and has several fire-

arm patents to his name.

Reese is survived by his wife, Carol;

three sons and daughters-in-law,

Dennis J. and Jane Reese of Geneseo,

David R., and Colleen Reese of Colona,

and Thomas William and Jane Reese of

Geneseo; seven grandchildren and their

spouses and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents

and a sister, Carol Kleeman.

The Reese family invites friends

to share stories and condolences

at trimblefuneralhomes.com.