A Tribute to Clyde Reynolds

Clyde Reynolds Obituary

 

[December 26, 2019]  Clyde Randolph Reynolds, a pillar of the Logan County community, recently passed away.  Clyde was highly involved with many people on so many different levels: husband, father, businessman, employer, board and trustee member, friend, confidant and a solid member of the community.

Clyde had a great deal of energy which he channeled into many endeavors.  He was highly motivated to make this community a better place for its citizens.

Clyde also had a quirky, rich sense of humor.  He laughed easily and spread cheer to everyone he contacted. Clyde was a shining light.

In stressful situations, Clyde always offered a great deal of grace, never seemed to buckle under the weight of difficult decisions, and always gave respect.  Those who knew him trusted him and respected him.

Clyde was a charitable man, giving of both his time and his money, and gave much to this community.  He shared his time with family and community: both reflected the quality time he gave them.

Clyde was the kind of man that made you proud to be called his friend.

Members of the community shared these comments about Clyde:

Clyde was the President of our board here at Castle Manor.  It was always a pleasant visit when he was in our building.  He was encouraging, kind and honest.  After our meeting, he would take a moment to stop in the culinary manager’s office to compliment her on the meal that was served.  His gratitude and kindness made us all feel special.  We will miss him.   [Marcia Cook, Director at Castle Manor]

Clyde was a tremendous member of our community. He was extremely generous with his time and talents, and was always ready with a thoughtful or kind word.  He was a man of great character, and he will be missed. [Blinn Bates, Woods and Bates]

St. Clara’s Rehab & Senior Care is a place “where the people are the difference.”  Clyde Reynolds is one of those persons whom made a difference!   Clyde served on the St. Clara’s Manor and Senior Services Boards and help bring the current St. Clara Rehab & Senior Care state of the art facility to Lincoln, Illinois to serve our senior citizens in short term rehabilitation and long term care. Clyde’s legacy of providing quality care and service to our seniors will live in all of us at St Clara’s Rehab & Senior Care.  [Gail McGinnis, Administrator for St. Clara's Rehab and Senior Care]

One of the founding members and treasurer for the Lincoln Logan Food Pantry, Clyde Reynolds served on the Board of Directors for 26 years.  Being an important advisor and sharing his perspective was essential to the growth and continued success of the food pantry.  The food pantry board members are grateful for working alongside Clyde, and seeing his dedication to serving the people of Logan County.  [Rick Releford, co-manager; Norm Newhouse, co-manager; Glenn Barker, President-Board of Directors Logan County Food Pantry]

I knew and worked primarily with Clyde as members of the Board of Directors for St. Clara’s Manor and then its new facility St. Clara’s Rehab and Senior Care.    Clyde was president of the board for both facilities – and so knowledgeable about the finances, the investment status and able to do a lesson 101 for those less knowledgeable.   Clyde always made sure documents were done in a timely manner and when errors were noted – got them corrected and redone so as little time as possible was lost.  He truly cared about the workings of the facility – and its staff and the residents.   My ‘not being a fan of driving in Bloomington’ whenever a meeting was scheduled to be there he graciously let me hitch a ride – which gave us extra time to ‘swap ideas’ or air concerns.  

Clyde was also on the Castle Manor Board with my husband and they too had a great working relationship especially more so during the building of the Castle Manor.   Clyde was a ‘team player’ – sharing his views and accepting others ideas and input.   His sense of humor was sometimes so subtle – you had to pick up on that grin of his!    He especially enjoyed sharing the story of the ‘cows head on his barn’; - obviously he was a fun prankster as well.   He is and will be missed.  [Tonita Reifsteck]

I worked with Clyde in a number of capacities over the years and all of them were joy-filled.  He always brought a smile, some encouragement, and pervasive positivity to every encounter. Clyde was the best kind of community builder, but more importantly, he was a people builder. He will be missed in so many ways.  [Keith Snyder]

I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Clyde personally and professionally.  Clyde was what I always thought of as a “quiet servant.”  He never sought nor particularly cared for recognition.  Many times, behind the scenes, he would work, tirelessly, for the betterment of the community in which he and his family lived.  The things that come to mind most for me are his dedication to his Church, St Clara’s and the Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry.  Clyde worked very hard for and on behalf of his Church, Trinity Episcopal Church.  He was a devout Christian and lived the principles of his faith.  He was constantly helping his church and extended church family.  I do not know how may years Clyde served on the Board of Directors of St Clara’s Manor, many as President, but I do know he is in large part responsible for the success of St Clara’s as exemplified by Castle Manor and the new St Clara’s Manor on the west side of town.  He was also instrumental in arranging for the old nursing home to be given to Lincoln College to enhance its housing options to its students.  Clyde served for many years as the Treasurer of the Lincoln/Logan County Food Pantry.  Once again showing his dedication to help those in need.  These are just a few of the things Clyde did for our community and there were many more, not to mention his successful family businesses in and around Lincoln.  Lincoln and Logan County are now in great need of a new “quiet servant” to fill the tremendous void left by Clyde’s passing.   [William B. Bates]

These are just a few of the stories from lives that were impacted by Clyde Randolph Reynolds, and are a treasured memorial for such a great man.

[Jim Youngquist]