Kenneth Reber

Dr. Kenneth W. Reber, former State Director of Indiana Rehabilitation Services and former Superintendent of Schools in Plymouth, Indiana passed away December 18, 2012 at St. Vincent Hospice. Dr. Reber was born September 5, 1918 in Berrien Co., St. Joseph, MI, the son of L. Benjamin and Tina Reber. Dr. Reber was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Tenth Armored Division in Europe. He was named a Sagamore of the Wabash in 1979 by former Indiana Governor Otis R. Bowen. Dr. Reber held a Bachelor of Education Degree from Western Michigan University, a Master's Degree in Administration of the Secondary School, also from Western, and a Doctor's Degree in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. His career included four years as a teacher at Mishawaka High School, two years as a teacher and two years as an administrator with the Kalamazoo Public Schools, eight years as Director of Special Projects for the South Bend Community School Corporation, nine years as Superintendent of the Plymouth Community School Corporation, and six years as State Director of Indiana Rehabilitation Services, retiring in 1983. Dr. Reber was active in many organizations throughout the years, including the General Commission, Indiana State Board of Education;, Indiana Education Council, Indiana Commission for the Handicapped, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, Indiana Employment and Training Council; National Rehabilitation Association, Indiana Education Employment Board, American Association of School Administrators, National School Public Relations Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Advisory Committee of the Indiana Vocational Technical College, and Governor's Representative to the White House Conference on the Handicapped. He was also a member of Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society in the Social Sciences, Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Society in Education, Delta Sigma Phi International Social Fraternity, Kiwanis Club, and the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents. Dr. Reber's publications included articles in the Bulletin of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Michigan and California Journal of Secondary Education, Senior Scholastics, Trends in School Public Relations, It Starts in the Classroom, ASCD Strategy for Curriculum Change, the South Bend Tribune, and the Plymouth Pilot News. Dr. Reber was also interviewed by Radio Station WTCA in Plymouth, Indiana. Dr. Reber was preceded in death by his wife of more than fifty years, Rosalie (Holmes) Reber, his sister Mineva McPherson, and brothers Calvin and Lewis. Survivors include his daughters, Julie B. Stewart (Greg) of Indianapolis and Jeanne Spletzer of Port Orange, Florida; his sister, Loretta Karnik (Arnault) of St. Joseph, MI; ten nephews and nieces; and sisters-in-laws, Ruby Reber of Mongomery, AL and Shirley Waroe of Midland, MI. Dr. Reber's family would like to thank everyone at Hospice and Dr. Edward Mintz for the excellent care he received. Services will be Friday, December 28, 2012 at 2 p.m. at Flanner and Buchanan-Zionsville, with calling from noon until time of service. Burial is private. Contributions may be made to Riley Children's Foundation: 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46204 or to the charity of donor's choice. Online condolences may be made at www.flannerbuchanan.com