Herbert "Bert" W. Reith, III
May 9, 1946 ~ July 25, 2016
Resided in:
Fairview, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Bert Reith, 70, passed away Monday, July 25, 2016.
A native of Queens, NY he was the son of Herbert W. Reith, Jr. and of the late Mae Schuebel Reith. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Reith, his sister, Hollie Jefferies and a brother, Ronald J. Reith.
In addition to his father, Bert is survived by his wife, Iris E. Pieper; two daughters, Kimberly Reith Miller and Christine Reith Curvey; a son, Christian H.W. Reith, IV; nine grandchildren and two brothers, Paul A. Reith and Richard W. Reith.
Bert was a loving and caring person to all. He stated that his greatest strength, was being generous to a fault and his greatest weakness, was being generous to a fault.
Bert never met a stranger and was always there for his family and friends. Bert lived for his dogs that he called his children and he rescued many.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Friday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Enka. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 pm Thursday at the funeral home on Long Shoals Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park, Bldg. 1, Asheville, NC 28801. For those wishing to send flowers, the family suggests calling Sweet Bouquet Florist, 684-0810.
I met Bert some time ago, and he immediately considered me ‘family’. Both of us originally displaced from New York, yet loving it here in Western NC. Always quick with a joke or some wit, and even quicker with a smile.
I am not fond of goodbyes. As a matter of speaking, I never do utter the words, even after ending a phone call. As the old Navy Tradition states, we pay homage to our loved ones who have gone before us with the following:
‘Fair Winds, and Following Seas’, old friend. You are greatly missed.
We are so very, very, sorry! What a wonderful man! Who meant so much to so many people. Bert will be missed immensly. I’m sorry for your loss Iris, his children, grand children, friends, & those whose lives he’s touched in even small ways. Although, we’re all still in shock we’re here for you Iris. Family Forever. Love, Sal, Misty, Joe, Devon, & Bella
We are so very sad to lose our Brother, Son, Father and Grandfather. As a big brother you were always there for me with so much love and concern. Now I have lost 3 of my 4 siblings and though I know that you are in a better place and no longer suffering, I am feeling so alone. You were so smart, loving and giving to everybody you have ever encountered. Your legacy will last long after we are all gone. I know you are with our Grandparents, Mom and our Brother Ronald and Sister Hollie. I hope all of you keep it down in Heaven as I know how crazy you all can be. Give a kiss to all of them from me and thanks for being another Guardian Angel for all of our Family. My love for you is never ending and we will all be together again one day.
To a great Man I leave my prayers of support for those you love most.
Bert was such a great guy. Iris, Chris , I’m so sorry for yalls loss.
Iris your in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. If you or Derek need anything just let me know i will be there. love and miss you.
Your family have my prayers for the sudden loss of your loved one. Bert is in no pain any more.And is with Jesus in Heaven. Praying for your family.
We will miss your sense of humor, your sharp wit, and your laughter. Most of all, we will miss you and your friendship. The stories we will all share, that include you will live on every time we get together and will forever fill our minds and hearts. We rejoice in the knowledge you no longer feel pain, and though our hearts ache and our tears fall, we are better individuals because we knew you.
God Speed our friend, until we see you again on Heaven’s shores.
Love, Terry and Debbie
Mr. Herb Reith Jr. Just say I am very sorry for the loss of your son.
Please accept my sincere Condolences!
Paul,
I am so very sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Thinking of you. xo
To those who have been my friends and considered my extended family for many many years, I share your sorrow in the loss of a closely held loved one. I still call his father, ‘Dad’, like I called his mother, ‘Mom’, just as I called Bert my brother as he called me his. Though we have not always been near of one another, we have always been close. When we needed someone, we called one another for advice or just for someone to listen. Bert and I have been best of friends for about 40 years or more. I could always count on him to lend a helping hand if he could. Bert was a wealth of information. What he did not know, he would research to learn about or how to do it. He was extremely intelligent, one of the smartest people I have known. He has been there to pick up the pieces through other great losses I have experienced and there have been many but he was always available to be there for me. I have seen him invite complete strangers into his home and treat them like part of the family. So many people have been touched by his warm wonderful person and personality, no one place could hardly hold them all. He was always quick with a joke or pun. It saddens me that our days of calling one another to tell that joke we heard today are done. Once he drove 3 hours to tell me a particular joke during an appropriate moment. I could likely go on but I believe anyone reading this will see the person I knew as Bert, my friend, my brother. So it is with a heavy heart, I close this friendship in the physical sense but has it has been said, ‘He will always be with you as long as you remember him!’
Bert, I will always have fond memories of times we shared together and as you always accepted me as family. You will be missed!