ROBERT C. REISS
From the Re-ECHO

With heavy hearts, we dedicate this issue of his beloved Re-ECHO to Bob Reiss. The following tribute was written by Bob’s friend Don Swenson, just days after Bob’s passing.

The founder and editor of the Re-ECHO, Bob Reiss, had a talent for describing Park’s history in a concise, interesting and often humorous way. He grew up at the “turn-around” for the streetcar line (Lake Street, Walker St. and Brownlow Ave.) where his parents operated a business initially called “The Waiting Station.” During the 1930s depression years, Bob and his three brothers helped their dad and mom as they struggled through stages of being a friendly tavern and then a café. By the 1960s, Bob’s brothers Dick and Jim had developed the business into Reiss’s, a well-known restaurant and supper club.

After Bob’s Navy service in World War II, he attended the University of Minnesota and received a degree in electrical engineering. In business he used his considerable talents and outgoing personality in engineering sales. He didn’t return to the family business, but he never lost track of his St. Louis Park roots.

In the late 1990s, Bob joined a small but dedicated group that was determined to promote the fledgling Historical Society. He became active in the group’s functions, helped to write the early history of St. Louis Park in the book called Something in the Water, and promoted sales and distribution of the publication. He came up with the idea for the Re-ECHO newsletter and soon was in contact with “old-timers” who were sending him comments that he translated into interesting articles about early years in the Park.

Bob Reiss and Barbara Davis had a great deal in common. They both grew up in The Park, they were members of Union Congregational church, and both were widowed. Their marriage was a fortunate event for the Historical Society. They spent countless volunteer hours together as they helped to improve the organization. With other board members they persisted in supplementing the Depot location with a practical and more visible spot at the Lenox Community Center.

With Bob’s passing we’ve lost a great historical resource. His legacy, however, is a strengthened Historical Society - to a large extent because he served with distinction as the first editor of the Re-ECHO.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.