Carl Reber Obituary

CARL LOUIS REBER Carl Louis Reber was born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawai'i, in November 1931, the only child of Martha Aschlieman Reber and Carl G. Reber. He passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022, in Honolulu, with his three daughters at his side. He was 91 years old. Carl grew up in Kaimuki, and as a ten year old watched the bombing of Pearl Harbor on a Sunday morning in 1941, from atop the hill behind the Kaimuki fire station. He happened to be on his way to church on his scooter. From the time he was twelve, he worked as a bootblack, shining shoes in front of the Moana Hotel. In order to watch his beloved baseball and make spending money, he also worked at the old Aloha Stadium selling bottled soda and peanuts. He loved to surf, play the 'ukulele, and play baseball. He attended Punahou School on a baseball scholarship (class of 1950), and was a star pitcher. He later served as an aircraft electrician in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, receiving three battle stars. Upon his return, Carl worked at the Honolulu Auto Exchange, where his lifelong love affair with cars flourished. He paired this love with his love of surfing, and opened Surf Motors and Surf Rents Trucks, first on O'ahu in 1958, and then on Maui and Moloka'i. He served as president of the Used Car Dealers Association of Hawaii in 1965. He had a good head for business and became an avid real estate entrepreneur and business consultant. Carl was a staunch and passionate supporter of the underdog, the disadvantaged, the orphaned, veterans, and any and all animals. He supported multiple charities, and helped many people in need. Carl grew up at the Elks Club at Diamond Head, as his father was an Elk. He later became an active Elk himself (Lodge 616), serving many terms as trustee. He raised his own children there, teaching them to swim and surf in the same waters he loved so much. For his meritorious service, he was named the Elks Living Treasure for 2020-21. He loved history and Hawaiian culture, music, and legends. He took his family to go holoholo all over Maui, Moloka'i, Kaua'i, and the Big Island, nurturing their love of place and 'aina. He was a collector of classic Thunderbirds, and played baseball on countless Honolulu teams from youth through his senior years. He was predeceased by his parents, and by three beloved rescue cats, Sandy, Kelk, and Lucky. He is survived by three daughters, Martha-Alice Reber (Thomas Frost), Tia Reber, Josalind Akoi (Sam IV); three granddaughters; a grandson; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his former wife, Donna Reber Nathanson. Carl left the world better than he found it, was greatly loved, and will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Elks Lodge (BPOE 616) at Diamond Head, on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 10 a.m. Aloha Attire requested. Donations may be made in his name to the Hawaiian Humane Society or the Elks Lodge (616) Education Fund. Arrangements Provided By: Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary