Frank T. Reuter

1923-2019

Frank T. Reuter passed away on December 22, 2019. He was born in Phoenix to parents Ivan and Sadie Reuter on September 13, 1923.

A lifelong resident of Phoenix, Frank grew up in a much smaller version of the Valley of the Sun during the Depression years, graduating from Phoenix Union H.S. He answered the call to service thereafter, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater during WWII. Returning to civilian life after the war, Frank was the driving force in the development and growth of the successful family business, then known as Arizona Cedar Rapids Company (now Reuter Equipment Co). He was married to the love of his life, Lila M. Ross, in 1948, and partnered with her to raise three sometimes feisty sons. At Lila's passing in 2007, they had been married for 59 years, setting a wonderful example to their sons. Frank placed a priority on giving back to the community, whether volunteering with the Boy Scouts or serving on church boards. In support of his longtime friend, Rev. William (Bill) O. Smith, he was an instrumental founding member of Cross Roads United Methodist Church, and later for Shadow Rock Congregational Church.

It is difficult to capsulize the depth and breadth of the impacts Frank had on family, friends and strangers alike, as he touched the lives of so many that crossed his path. His steadfast love of family, his resilience in the face of adversity, his depth of thought, his talent for organization, his considerable mechanical skills (e.g., building the family cabin in Groom Creek and designing his retirement home), his humility, and his sense of humor were particularly admirable traits. He will be sorely missed.

Frank is survived by his three loving sons, Kurt (Barbara) Reuter, Chris (Carrie) Reuter, and Mark (Martha) Reuter; grandchildren Justin Reuter, Kathryn Reuter, Jessica (Jason) Kerich, Erin (Ryan) Maxwell, Amy (Tom) Quigley, Brent (Carly) Reuter and great-grandchildren Jameson and Lila Kerich, and Junior and Jemma Jo Reuter.

A family celebration is planned at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved Lila.

Frank was a generous man, so people may honor his memory by making a contribution in his name to the Lila M. Reuter Memorial Nursing Scholarship at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, https://mcccdf.org/, or to a charity of their choice.

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