Robert Sterldon Reid

  Robert Sterldon Reid passed away peacefully, January 16, 2023, with his family by his side.  He was 81.  Born October 10, 1941, in Thomasville NC, he was the first-born son of Margaret Maxine Holley Reid and Eugene Robert Reid.  He grew up in Thomasville NC, where he graduated from Church Street HS.  After graduation he worked at Thomasville Furniture Industries before joining the Air Force. He completed Crash Rescue and Structural Firefighter tech school before serving in Thailand in support of the Vietnam War.  His actions in Thailand included saving a downed pilot, earning him the Air Medal of Valor.  

   He married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Parker in 1968. They traveled the world during his 24-year military career, culminating at Dover AFB, where he was the Fire Chief assigned to the 436th Civil Engineering Squadron.  He retired in 1984 at the rank of Master Sergeant and returned to the squadron as a civilian driver for the Fire Department on base.  He also enjoyed operating coach buses for several companies to include Bennie Smith, Cheney’s and Brown’s Bus services before retiring in 2010.  He found joy in spending time with family and friends; especially being the family Star Search MC. He loved watching football and westerns, working on cars (Volkswagens), showing off his grandkids, and flying kites (“Call Air traffic control; I’m putting one up!”)    He delighted in his sons accomplishements and was very proud of their military service and the men they became. 

    He is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Reid, his parents, Eugene and Maxine Reid and sister Karlene Prince.  

    He is survived by his two sons, Roderick Scott Reid (Michelle) of Magnolia DE, and Stephen Brent Reid of Gastonia NC and five grandchildren, Maleena Elizabeth Reid, Jacquelyn Tierra Reid, Christopher Jacob Reid, Alexis Maureen Reid and Gabriel Scott Reid. His life is celebrated by his siblings, Hildagene Reid, Denise Griffin, Francis Reid (Patricia), Cynthia Reid, and Wesley Reid (Lorrie), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, grandnephews and grandnieces.  

    Viewing  will be held at Dover Christian Church, 1738 Forrest Ave., Dover ,on Monday Jan 23, 2023 from 10:00am-11:00am with Funeral Services at  11:00.  Interment in the Delaware Veterans Memorial  Cemetery, Millsboro, DE will be at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Condolences may be sent via: www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Sterldon Reid, please visit our floral store.