Credit: RunPhotos.com

The ERC lost a good one this week. David Reuter died Wednesday.

I knew Mr. Reuter from the time I was a young child. I was a regular at the Harborcreek parks in summer where he oversaw the crafts & activities, I graduated with is youngest son, and Mr. Reuter was a counselor of mine in high school. Later, he became a friend as we ran, literally, in the same circles.

My favorite memory of him? Last year I was working the packet-pickup for the Erie Marathon at Presque Isle and he comes up to my window and says…”Hey, Heather, you have a list for the 1/2 there? I want to see who else is in my age group.” I smirked and handed him the list, chuckling at his 70-year-old competitiveness and realizing that, deep down, we runners/racers are all the same. Think about that…he was 70 and running a HALF MARATHON. He finished in 2:19. How awesome is that?

I truly thought he’d live forever.

From what I understand, he died during a run on Wednesday. While it was far too soon for Mr. Reuter, I couldn’t help but think that at least he died doing what he loved.

Rest in peace, Mr. Reuter.

(Ha! Rest? Right. You just know he’s running circles around the pearly gates up there.)