Edward Joseph Reichle passed away Jan. 2 at his home in Gunnison with an eagle flying by his bedroom window. Ed was born March 21, 1949 at Bolling AFB, Washington, D.C. to Loretta and Loran Reichle. He grew up traveling the globe with his father who was in the Air Force. He lived and loved Gunnison more than any other place in the world. Ed moved to Gunnison in 1972, after he served in the Navy from 1968-1972, serving in Guam and San Diego. Ed came to Western on the GI Bill and earned his degree in history and business while also being active in the Vets Club and Newman Club. Ed worked in the Maintenance Department and later transferred to the Bookstore as a student employee. He was hired as the textbook manager then became store manager. In all, Ed worked for Western State College for 30 years. He loved working with the students and meeting the parents. Before he retired he was starting to meet the grandchildren of students he went to school with. Ed stayed in contact with Western doing book buyback for Nebraska Book Company, always learning about the students and where they came from to go to Western. Ed was active in the Knights of Columbus at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, he was a member to the Charles Fedler Assembly of 4th Degree Knights, and he also was a member of the American Legion and Elks. He was a board member of Gunnison Pioneer Society and volunteer at the Gunnison Pioneer Museum. He loved the outdoor life of camping, hiking, getting firewood and, yes, shoveling snow. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Loretta and Loran Reichle. He is survived by his wife Dorothy, sons Dan (Christy) of Marietta, Georgia, and Garrett (Beth) of Wasilla, Alaska, three grandchildren, Cole, Morgan and Ty, his sister Lea Nora Jones (Jerry) of Greeley, Colorado, plus nieces and nephews. We will all miss you dearly, Ed. Ed and Dorothy would like everyone to save a life by donating blood or registering with Be the Match at www.bethematch.com to give a DNA swab to become a bone marrow donor or donate to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.
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