Edwin Phil Reber

Edwin Phil Reber, 83, passed from this earth peacefully at his home in Washington on June 5, 2026.

He was born on April 29, 1943, in Overton, Nevada, to Dessie and Garth Jones. He was later adopted by Rumell Reber and raised in Littlefield, Arizona. He graduated from Virgin Valley High School in 1961 and served in the Central States Mission. He married Christina Politis in San Francisco, though they later parted ways. He was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam, where he earned two bronze stars (one for valor). Despite being a decorated soldier, he left Vietnam with a deep, abiding love for both the Vietnamese people and the people with whom he served.

Ed had a lifelong love of learning, literature, and the arts. He graduated from the University of Utah and earned two Master’s Degrees from BYU. He began his teaching career at Woodward Junior High in St. George, UT, where he taught for one year. He then spent his remaining teaching career as a professor of English and Humanities at Dixie College for nearly 40 years, where he met some of his dearest friends. Ed also met the love of his life, Soon Hwa Heo, on the campus of Dixie College, and they were married on March 22, 1986.

Ed is survived by Soon Hwa; his children, Martha Hafen and Justin Reber; his grandchildren, Kody Hafen (Camry), Kylee Hafen, and Colton Hafen (Tiffany Shafer); his great-grandchildren, Cruz and Walker; his siblings and in-laws, Dan Reber (Christine), Veva Snyder, Rita Cox, Keith Reber (Stephanie), Kelly Reber (Janice), Intaek Heo (Inja), Soon Jin Scheffel (Frederick), and Pil Sun Han; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please eat some chocolate in his memory.