Services Set for Former RFH Athletic Director Walter Reiser, 55

Walter Reiser Photo/courtesy of Fiore Funeral Home
Walter Reiser
Photo/courtesy of Fiore Funeral Home

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) community is mourning the death of former Athletic Director Walter Reiser.

Reiser died on Saturday at his West Long Branch home surrounded by loved ones, according to his obituary. He was 55.

Services will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, at Fiore Funeral Home, Long Branch.

“Huge loss for the RFH community,” said Mary Beth Tukis Coleman on the Fair Haven Facebook page.

Walter Reiser became one of the first full-time athletic trainers in the state when he started at RFH and was named the high school’s athletic director in 1987, his obituary added. A member of Monmouth County Director Athletics Association (MCDAA), he was president for two terms and treasurer over the years. In 2000, he was named  Athletic Director of the Year by the by MCDAA. He retired in 2014.

He was an active member of the Monmouth County Director of Athletics Association, where he served two terms as president and was treasurer for many years. He was recognized by that association as Athletic Director of the Year in 2000.

Known as a dedicated husband, dad and champion of good will and community causes, Reiser was a graduate of Springfield College where he earned a master’s degree in sports medicine.

He is predeceased by: his parents, Anne and Edward Reiser.

He is survived by: his wife of 28 years, Kathy; his two daughters, Emily and Allie; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed and Terry, Rob and Kathy, Jim and Bea and their families, of Long Island, NY; his sisters-in-law and their families, Debbie and Jeff Bevino, Donna and Mike Melisi and Lisa Urbanowicz and George Salanto, of Connecticut; many cousins, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews; and many friends.

‘An avid runner all of his life, Walt is lovingly sent home to God by those who love him with the words of St. Paul, ‘having run with endurance he has finished the good race,'” his obituary said.

Following Tuesday’s visitation at Fiore, a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Fiore Funeral Home with a burial following at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.