Murvin (Bun) Henry Reese, Jr., age 89 of Wilmington, Delaware, died on February 16, 2024.

Murvin was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1934. He was the son of the late Murvin Henry Reese and Elizabeth Marsh Reese. Murvin attended Henderson High School and graduated from West Chester State College (now West Chester University) with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Between high school and college, Murvin served in the United States Army – 2nd Armored Division, 42nd Armored Infantry stationed in Mannheim, Germany.

In 1955 he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Wanda. Their incredible partnership and journey in love lasted 68 years. They moved to Newark, Delaware, in 1964 where they both brought their teaching skills to the Delaware public schools. In the fall of 1969, Murvin accepted a position at The Tatnall School teaching 3rd grade and coaching 7th/8th grade football, in what would become his proud professional home for the next 30 years. For those students who came through the lower school at Tatnall, Mr. Reese was the first male teacher most, if not all, had ever seen. He was proud of that fact and was a strong proponent of the importance of the male presence in elementary education (and in education in general) throughout his career. Mr. Reese was known as a loving teacher and mentor who held high standards for his students, and made each child feel successful in their accomplishments.

Murvin was an avid fan of Penn State and University of Delaware football. Season ticket holders for both teams, he and Wanda were known to travel to Penn State for the early game, then back to UD for the late game (or vice versa) in one day. One of two of the oldest tenured members, Wanda is the other, Murvin was active at the Newark Country Club where across seven decades served on several member committees and as the Pool Committee Chair for several terms. He could often be found playing bridge and enjoying food, fun, and cocktails with friends. He loved spending time traveling with his friends and family, and treasured his family beach vacations where he taught his grandchildren how to play pinochle, and was an active participant in lively family competitions. Most importantly, Murvin was a loving and incredibly proud husband, father, and grandfather – everyone’s biggest fan. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Turpin Reese, and his brother, Edmund (Ned) Marsh Reese, his son Barton Reese (Kathryn), and daughter Martha Rogers (Walter), and four grandchildren, Elizabeth Rogers, Reese Rogers, Landon Reese, and Elliot Reese.

In lieu of flowers, it is Bun’s wish that donations be made to Oakland School, 128 Oakland Farm Way, Troy, VA 22974, Oakland School Giving, oaklandschool.net,  and/or Chesapeake Academy, 107 Steamboat Rd, Irvington, VA 22480, chesapeakeacademy.org. A memorial service will be held March 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, 292 West Main Street, Newark, DE, at 3:00 pm.