Richard Paul Reece

Richard Paul Reece died on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.  A live memorial funeral mass will be on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 10:00 am (PST) at St. Monica Catholic Church, Santa Monica, CA. The mass will be live streamed. A luncheon will be served immediately following in the Grand Pavilion adjacent to the church.  Face masks are required.

Richard was the son of Clarence and Geneva Reece of Cedar Rapids, IA and brother of Jannette Hutchison of Hiawatha, IA, all now deceased.  Survivors include Joan, his wife of 49 years, foster son, Gregg Fishbein (wife Leslie, grandchildren Lexi and Jack) of Plymouth, MN, foster son, Don Silardi (wife Cara, grandchildren Cara and Nick) of Waxhaw, NC, and foster daughter, Jodie Jackson of Mesa, AZ and many of Joan’s brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Richard graduated from Washington Senior High School, Cedar Rapids, IA in 1959, and Parsons College, Fairfield, IA in 1964.  While at college he was proud that he and 3 friends started a local fraternity called Pi Kappa Lambda in 1961. It is said that through Richard’s efforts and perseverance the fraternity became a chapter of the national fraternity in 1964.  After graduating college he became Director of Student Activities for Parsons for 3 years and was involved with all aspects of student life.  He was also the personal driver for the University President, Dr. Millard Roberts.  Richard spent a lot of one-on-one time with Dr. Roberts, who had a great influence on him.

Richard was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard, 1965-1971, and conducted his formal training at Ft. Sill, OK.  He obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant, earning recognition for OUTSTANDING SERVICE as Training NCO for his unit.  His military occupational specialty was Combat Engineer.  He led a squad of 8-12 combat engineers in 2ndsquad of 3rd platoon, Charlie Company, 224th Engineer Battalion.  His squad specialized in electronic repairs.  He qualified as a sharpshooter with the M-1 rifle.                    

He was a faculty member of American Institute of Business, Des Moines, IA before entering the Real Estate appraisal market.  He was president of Appraisers, LLC, a professional appraisal firm who had certified, licensed, and designated appraisers and analysts specializing in Business, Commercial and Residential reporting and consulting.  He taught appraising and business valuations. He wrote a textbook, “Fundamentals of Business Appraisals,” that was approved for professional appraisal continuing education credits.  He guest taught Business Valuation classes at the University of Miami and the University of Southern California.  He served as National President of the National Association of Master Appraisers; served on the Appraisal Foundation Advisory Council (Washington, DC) and as a trustee of the Appraisal Foundation.

In June 1991 Richard went with a real estate delegation of People to People to Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.  Boris Yeltsin was then president of Russia.  While attending a conference in Moscow, the Russians made it known that they knew very little about a market economy and that they needed teachers.  Richard immediately raised his hand to teach real estate appraising in Russia despite there being no financial recompense from Russia.  By October 1991 he was on his way to Moscow to teach real estate appraising and valuation.  He traveled throughout Russia for several years teaching and helped them start The Russian Society of Appraisers.  This was an especially exciting and fulfilling time for him!  Eventually he also traveled to China to consult about real estate appraising and business valuations.

While living in Des Moines, IA he joined the Optimist Club and could still recite the Optimist Motto until his very last days.  While a member, he served on the committee to coordinate a speech contest for high school students.  It was during this contest that he arranged transportation for Gregg Fishbein, who became the first foster son for Richard and his wife, Joan, and he is still an important part of the family 40 years later.  Through Gregg, Richard and Joan met, Don Silardi, Gregg’s brother, who has also become a part of the family.  Richard and Joan also have a foster daughter, Jodie Jackson.  Richard showed these wonderful kids love and patience as he taught them about love and caring.

Richard served as President of the Villa Marina Council in Marina del Rey, CA; a community of 18 homeowner associations and 685 condos.  He strived to make it an “award winning community.”  Through his caring, enthusiasm, and encouragement he changed the way the community thinks of itself.

Richard always had a ready smile and warm handshake for everybody.  Many times over the years, people, literally from around the world, have said, “He changed my life.”  Is there any better legacy of kindness, love, and caring than that?