Raymond Osborn Reeb

LOVELAND, CO — Raymond Osborn Reeb, former Mayor of Loveland, Air Force veteran, and longtime community leader, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2025, after living with Lewy body dementia. He was 84.

Born in Flint, Michigan, Ray was the son of Reverend Osborn and Martha Reeb. They moved to Loveland when Ray was 11 and built one of the very first homes on Lake Loveland. A 1958 graduate of Loveland High School, he lettered in basketball and baseball, served as choir president, and was active in student leadership.

After earning his degree from Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), Ray served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968, commanding a flight of nuclear Minuteman ICBMs and overseeing multiple test launches into the Pacific. While stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, he met Marie (Lade) Crosswhite — the love of his life. They married in 1969, beginning a life filled with passion for adventure and lasting devotion. Ray cherished Marie dearly every single day of their 56-year marriage.

After completing his military service, Ray returned to Loveland and worked for the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District for 12 years. In 1983, he founded Ray Reeb Trucking Company, operating a fleet of eight semis across the U.S. and Canada.

Ray’s legacy in public service is etched across the City of Loveland. He was elected to the Loveland City Council in 1980 and served as Mayor from 1982 to 1986. His leadership was transformative: he helped establish Loveland’s Civic Center and Chilson Recreation/Senior Center; pioneered water resource planning and citywide metering; launched Capital Expansion Fees to ensure new growth paid its own way; and introduced the take-home squad car program that remains in effect today.

He led the City Council's effort to create Sculpture in the Park, now in its 41st year, which has become one of the most successful fine art sculpture shows in the country. He also championed the creation of Loveland’s Art in Public Places program — the first municipal ordinance of its kind in Colorado. Today, the City’s public art collection includes over 580 works displayed throughout the community.

Ray also played a central role in making the Mariana Butte Public Golf Course a reality, earning a formal commendation for his “invaluable assistance and enthusiastic leadership” in securing donated land and advancing the nationally recognized course.

In addition, Ray served as Chairman of the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, helping implement the Clean Water Act across the state, and represented Loveland on the Board of Directors of the Platte River Power Authority.

In recognition of his service and impact, he was inducted into the Loveland High School Hall of Fame in 2019.

Ray and Marie were also known for their love of the open road. They logged over 185,000 miles on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, traveling to every one of the lower 48 states, much of Canada, and Mexico.

After retirement in 1995, Ray and Marie sold their belongings and set off on a new adventure — living aboard their sailboat Lady Jane for three years as they traveled the Great Lakes, Atlantic Ocean, and Caribbean. They then spent four more years RVing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, fully embracing a life of exploration and togetherness.

Ray's life was a testament to servant leadership, devotion to family, and most of all, to his faith in God. His legacy lives on in the lives he shaped, the city he helped improve, and the family who will forever carry his light — and his faith — forward.

Ray is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marie, Loveland, CO; their children: Pastor Joe Crosswhite III (wife Linda), Randall, MN; David Reeb (wife Kim), Aurora, CO; and Janet Seter (husband Marc), Loveland, CO; and nine grandchildren: Mark, Andrew, Scott, and Robert Crosswhite; Raymond, Alaina, and Viviana Reeb; and Anika and Lance Seter. Together, Ray and Marie were cherished by their 19 nieces and nephews who live throughout the U.S. He is also survived by his siblings: Don Reeb (Irene), Ruth Lipker (Harland), Lois Mannigel, Ellen Thayer (Larry), and John Reeb (Deb), brother-in-law Daniel Lade (Edith), and sister-in-law Lenora Lade.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend Osborn (March 13, 2000) and Martha Reeb (September 5, 2000), his brother Dan Reeb (December 30, 2023), and brother-in-law Dave Mannigel (July 29, 2001), brother-in-law John Lade (January 23, 2005), and Wade Lade (February 12, 2021).

The viewing will be held on Sunday, June 8, from 2-4 p.m. at Viegut’s Funeral Home. The memorial and funeral service will be held on Monday, June 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Loveland. All are welcome to attend.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to support the ongoing care and upkeep of the Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Cemetery of Eureka Township, Ward County, North Dakota - Marie’s family cemetery that holds deep meaning and honors their loved ones’ memory. Donations can be made via Venmo to @Carl-Lade Carl Lade Venmo