SCOTTSVILLE, Va. — Robert L. Rebein, 80, of Scottsville, Va., and formerly of Springfield, Va., passed away peacefully Jan. 9, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Ellinwood on Dec. 4, 1930, to life-long residents Joseph and Louise Rebein.
A native of Ellinwood, Bob graduated from the University of Kansas in 1952 with a BA in Accounting and in 1954 with a JD in Law. During law school, Bob served as a writer and editorial board member of the Kansas Law Review. After a tour of duty with the U.S. Army, he was appointed a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1957. Following assignments in Miami and Sarasota, Fla., and New York City, he was transferred in 1960 to FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC.
In 1969, Bob served as an attorney and investigator in the U.S. House of Representatives. He joined the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1971, and was appointed its Managing Director a year later. In 1976, he was appointed to the executive staff of the Internal Revenue Service, serving as Assistant Commissioner (Inspection) from 1979 until his retirement in 1985. During his government career, Bob received numerous commendations and awards for superior performance, including the 1985 Presidential Rank Award in the Senior Executive Service for sustained superior performance in management.
Following retirement, Bob remained active professionally, serving as an investigator for the U.S. House of Representatives, and a number of other government agencies, including the FBI. Bob also was an active member of St. George’s parish and Bread of Life, a non-denominational program that provides healthy food to those in need.
Bob was a loyal friend. He had a sharp wit and an amazing sense of humor. He loved to travel and enjoyed the outdoors throughout his life, spending time camping, hunting and fishing with his family and friends. Visitors to his farm were always enamored with his ability to "call" catfish to the water’s surface. Bob was generous and honest, but most of all, he devoted his life to what gave him his greatest joy — his family.
Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather and is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years, Grace; two daughters, Cynthia A. Myers and her husband Fred, Oakton, Va., and Karen L. McGann and her husband Kenneth, Dublin, Ohio; two sons, Mark J. and his wife Julia, Kansas City, Mo., and Scott F. and his wife Lori, North Potomac, Md.; and 13 grandchildren. He also is survived by his sister K. Phillys Bartels, Olathe, one nephew and three nieces. A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church of St. George, Scottsville, Va., followed by interment and a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to The Church of St. George, P.O. Box 9, Scottsville, VA, the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060 or Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22911.
Thacker Brothers Funeral Home in Scottsville is handling the arrangements. Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com.
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 12, 2011#
