Crozer EMS chief dies of cardiac arrest working charity event
CHESTER >> The chief of Crozer-Keystone Health System’s Emergency Medical Services died Saturday after suffering cardiac arrest during a charity event at Talen Energy Stadium.
Robert Reeder, 61, husband, father of four and grandfather of three, was on duty Saturday morning at the stadium when he went into cardiac arrested and was transported to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he died.
“Bob was known for his kind and gentle nature and for representing Crozer-Keystone with spirit and pride,” a statement released by the health system read. “His leadership efforts in Delaware County were remarkable.”
Reeder had been part of Crozer-Keystone’s system for 37 years. For the past two decades, he was chief of its EMS, overseeing the services at Crozer-Keystone, Springfield, Taylor and Delaware County hospitals, and had simultaneously served as president of the Delaware County Emergency Health Services Council.
In that capacity, he coordinated all of the hospitals and health providers, said Timothy Boyce, director of Delaware County Emergency Services.
“It’s just a really sad day,” he said. “He offered up to work this event because it was a charity event. Bob was always a professional, always kind and always willing to get involved on a project.
“He was excellent in his craft but he was just a kind person so you just enjoyed working with him,” Boyce continued.
“If there was ever a community event, Bob was there,” he said, adding that Reeder wasn’t one to take the spotlight but was more than willing to spend time talking to the kids. “He will certainly be missed both professionally and personally.”
Boyce said hundreds of first responders turned out to pay their initial respects when his body was transported from Crozer to the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office around 3 p.m. Saturday.
The director said Reeder would be memorialized in a public way and that details would be forthcoming.