Daily Sitka Sentinel

Former Sitkan Reo Lloyd Dies in Moscow, Idaho

Reo Lee Lloyd

Reo Lee Lloyd, 70, of Moscow, Idaho, formerly of Sitka, passed away at his home June 17, 2019.
 Reo was born in Moscow June 13, 1949, the son of Robert E. Lloyd and Dorothy (Obershaw) Lloyd. He was raised in Moscow and lived the majority of his life on the family farm on the extension of North Polk.
He spent his childhood traveling with his parents around the west,  visiting national parks and attending many Idaho, Oregon and Washington rodeos where his father was a participant, and later a judge.
After graduating from Moscow High School in 1967, Reo joined the U.S. Navy and served for eight years, seeing action in the Vietnam War.
Reo was a journeyman carpenter, and his skills allowed him to work alongside his father for many years, making stops throughout Southeast Alaska and living in Sitka in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During his time here, he was also an avid scuba diver, volunteered for the Sitka Fire Department, and served as an EMT.
In 1978 Reo was awarded the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Medal after rescuing a drowning boater after his skiff had overturned in the icy channel waters just outside Sitka.
In 1979, he again braved the frigid waters of Alaska and risked his life to swim two miles to save himself and a friend when his own boat failed. They were stranded for 36 hours on Belknap Island. After both incidents Reo had little to say and declined to have his photo taken for the local newspaper.
Following his father’s death in 1989, Reo purchased the family farmhouse and settled down in Moscow. He continued his work as a carpenter and was a longtime UBC member, eventually serving as an officer of the Local 313 and voted to be the representative on the Pacific Northwest Regional Council.
Lately, on most afternoons around 4:30 p.m., you would find Reo opening up the bar at the Moscow Moose Lodge 871 — where he was a member, a volunteer, an officer of the board, and served as governor of the Lodge.  He was also a member of the Paradise Lodge No. 17 A.F & A.M. in Moscow, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a Noble of Calam Shrine Temple and Shriners International.
In 2018 Reo gave an eight-acre parcel of his land to Latah County, to be used as a natural park and named after his father, Robert Edwin Lloyd. His desire was for Moscow residents to be able to enjoy the more than 500 trees — conifers, plum and oak — he had planted on the property.
Reo loved his family and was deeply appreciative of the love of his stepmother, Louise Lloyd, “Mama Lou,” who passed away in 2003.
 He is survived by his sisters, Deanda Lyne, Sherri Meadows Maywald, Lindy Wellyn, and Andrea Lloyd; his brothers Noel Edwards, Scott Welfare and Mark Lloyd; and his aunt, Peggy Davis. He will be missed by all of his family, and friends he made along the journey.
In keeping with Reo’s wishes, no formal services will be held. Donations in Reo’s name can be made to the Moscow Moose Lodge 871.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short’s Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.