Andrew Howard Reeder
Andrew Howard Reeder of Appomattox, Virginia
September 19, 1960 - October 13, 2023
Andrew Howard Reeder, 63, of Appomattox, Virginia passed away at his home on Friday, October 13, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 27 years Anne Leslee Reeder (Byrnes). In addition to his wife, seven siblings survive him: Curtis Edward of Fairfax, VA, Michael John (Carol) of Alexandria, VA, Jeffrey Lee (Won Ok) of White Post, VA, Patricia Marie of Minneapolis, MN, Lynda Ann Hoag (Michael) of Colorado Springs, CO, Susan Louise of Palm Bay, FL, Catherine Belle Davenport (Scott) of Melbourne FL. One brother, Brian Lewis, preceded him in death in 1960.
He was born on September 19, 1960, in Indianapolis, IN, to the late Mary Esther (Freese) and Donald Lewis Reeder. Andrew graduated from Radford University with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University.
He had a passion for gourmet food and was a chef and manager of a restaurant in Northern Virginia early in his career. Family and friends were always impressed with his dinners and their presentation. He worked as a tour guide at Dixie Caverns and Park Interpreter at Claytor Lake State Park where he met Anne.
Andrew loved the outdoors and animals. In 1996, he was hired as City of Lynchburg’s first park manager and chief naturalist. He enjoyed creating new trails and if necessary, relocating snakes and other wildlife. He loved sharing his extensive knowledge of wildlife and their habitats with groups and individuals. After 23 years, he retired in 2019 as the Park Services Manager.
Andrew was an avid caver. He was a member of The National Speleological Society. He was nominated and received a Fellow of The National Speleological Society. He enjoyed exploring caves in Indiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, Alabama, and Virginia. One of Andrew’s favorite events is The Grand Caverns’ Clean Up on Easter weekend in Grottoes, Virginia. Many volunteers come together to haul gravel into the cave to enhance the trails for tourists, repair formations and algae removal. Volunteers looked forward to the delicious dinner that Andrew would go to great lengths to prepare.
He enjoyed going to concerts in small venues with many different types of music. He loved watching baseball games in person, especially the Chicago Cubs. He was a collector of concert posters and signed photographs of the performers.
Andrew had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. With much sadness, his health issues in the past few years have prevented him from pursuing his many interests and spending time with his family and friends, especially his favorite pastime of caving and watching baseball games in person. Andrew will be missed and his memory will be cherished.
There will be a visitation on Saturday, October 28 between 2 and 4 p.m. at Robinson Funeral Home, Appomattox, VA. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Appomattox County Rescue Squad, PO Box 57, 763 Confederate Blvd., Appomattox, VA 24522 or Lynchburg Humane Society, 1211 Old Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg VA 24502.
Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family. An online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com
