Orville Kelly “Bud” Reiser, 96, of West Portsmouth, died Thursday, February 9, 2023, at his home. He was born October 10, 1926, to the late Orville and Etta Mae Kelly Reiser.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Paul Reiser and a sister Annetta Reiser.
Bud contracted polio at the age of 16 and survived, leaving him with a paralyzed throat for roughly 30-plus years. Dr. Henry Heimlich, who became his good friend, was able to surgically correct his throat to allow him to once again swallow after all that time.
Bud was a 1944 Graduated of Portsmouth West High School. After graduation, he furthered his education at Wilmington College, Ohio University, and received his Master’s degree from Marshall University. He started teaching in Piketon in 1950 and came to West in 1953 and was there until he retired. He spent 65 years in the public education system.
Bud joined the Boy Scouts at the age of 11. He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 13 and was one of the youngest in the state of Ohio. He was the Scout Master for 50-plus years of Troop 43. He also received the Silver Beaver award for his many years of service. He was a Boy Scout from 11 till the day he passed.
Bud was the first inductee into the Portsmouth West High School Alumni Hall of fame. He received the Vern Riffe Leadership award for outstanding community services. He was very active in the Friendship United Methodist Church , where he served as a Trustee. He also helped form the Nile Township Volunteer Ambulance service.
In his many years of public education and years in Scouting, he touched thousands of lives with his nurturing nature, and influencing them in a positive manor.
Bud is survived by his wife of 60 years Donna Lee Hazelbaker Reiser (Who he fondly called his child bride), a son Orville Kelly Reiser Jr., a daughter Leonna Jane (Rob) Kouns, a brother, Tom (Sandra) Reiser, 4 grandchildren: Devin (Kayla) Reiser, Kelsey (Levi) Pack, Sydney Kouns and Levi Kouns, great grandchildren: Kylee and Harper Reiser and Kaiden and Oakley Pack and a host of nieces and nephews.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 12 to 3:00 PM on Saturday February 18, 2023 at Friendship United Methodist Church with a Celebration of Life Service starting at 3:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth.
Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friendship United Methodist church or SOMC Hospice in Bud’s name.
