A memorial service honoring Don Reiber, who taught communication courses for 36 years at The University of Toledo, will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, April 24 in Savage Arena.

Reiber, associate professor of communication and the director of the Department of Communication’s Media Services, passed away Sept. 20 at age 68.

He taught television production, live-truck production, and radio production and programming. His students and alumni number in the thousands, working in broadcasting in Toledo, across the United States and for national news organizations, including CNN.

“Everything you’ve heard about Don Reiber is true,” Paul Helgren, UT associate athletic director, said. “What made him a great employee was his work ethic, professionalism and dedication to UT — especially UT students. What made him a great person was his easy-going nature and his genuine interest in others. He touched so many lives, probably many more than he ever realized. Don helped make this University great. His influence will be felt here for many years to come.”

The memorial service will be emceed by Dan Saevig, UT associate vice president of alumni relations and longtime friend. It will include several speakers who will share their remembrances and a video tribute, which is fitting for the man who lived and breathed broadcasting.

“We have alumni from as far away as California coming for the service,” Saevig said. “We expect several hundred to be there to celebrate a great human being who did so much for students and this University.”

The University is establishing an endowed fund in Reiber’s memory with the intention of dedicating the production control room in Savage Arena in his honor, pending approval by the UT Board of Trustees and the completion of a fundraising campaign. Contributions can be made to the Don Reiber Student Production Fund to The University of Toledo Foundation via https://give2ut.utoledo.edu.

“Don was and still is a true inspiration to all that had the pleasure to have worked with him. He made us all want to be better at what we do,” said Tyler Mattson, a student who will receive a bachelor’s degree in communication in May and who received a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutics in 2014. “I knew Don for seven years from helping at events across campus. We all know that everything he did at UT wasn’t because he had to, but because he wanted to. It was with this that he showed and inspired all of his students and those who had come to know him. Don will always have a place not only at UT, but in our hearts as well.”

Media Coverage
The Blade (April 23, 2016)
13 ABC (April 23, 2016)
NBC 24 (April 25, 2016)
WTOL 11 (April 26, 2016)
The Independent Collegian (April 27, 2016)

Tags: College of Communication and the Arts