Joseph William Reeves Jr.

Joseph William Reeves, 70, passed away on April 17, 2024, at home in Port Townsend, Washington, surrounded by his loving wife and friends.  He was born on June 14, 1953, in Fairbanks, Alaska to Joseph William and Ola Mae (Sargent) Reeves.

After high school graduation, Joseph attended Salisbury University in Maryland, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1975.  Joseph traveled to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and served as the principal / one room schoolhouse teacher for the K-12th grade student population in Nikolski, Umnak Island from 1976-1978.   He lived in Sierra Leone from 1978-1980 as a Peace Corps Volunteer, in the capacity of Assistant Education Inspector for the Koindadugu Province School.  Joseph traveled extensively throughout the province, visiting various schools.  His mode of travel was a dirt motorbike, and lodging was a Gore Tex tent!

From 1981 to 1986 Joseph worked at the Albany Institute of History and Art, a regional museum, as the Director of Education and Publications.  During this time he also went back to college at the State University of New York in Albany, where he received a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

After the museum Joseph spent the next 13 years working for the New York State School Boards Association, where he was the Director of Superintendent Search Services/ Director of Convention Planning.  Lastly, Joseph spent his final 17 working years (1998-2015) with the Association of Alaska School Boards as the Associate Executive Director/Executive Director. He served 53 different school districts.

Joseph was a fearless explorer of the outdoors and travel. This thirst for adventure brought Joseph to the love of his life, Eve Fieldhouse.  They were married on July 22, 2001, on a beach in Auke Bay, Juneau, Alaska.  Joseph and Eve loved to embark on wilderness sea kayaking and backpacking trips together in many wilderness areas of Alaska, Southern California, and in Spain and England.  When Joseph retired from the Association of Alaska School Boards in April 2015, he and Eve decided to go on a 3-year road trip.  They traveled throughout Canada, including Yellowknife, Lans Au Meadows Viking settlement,  and the Canadian Maritime provinces.  Joseph and Eve criss-crossed the United States six times, with a 7 month stop in North Carolina and a 10 month stop in New Mexico where he volunteered at a variety of organizations.

Joseph was also well known as a Coastal Kayak Instructor with the American Canoe Association, and served as a kayak guide in the High Arctic for 2 summer seasons.

Community service was also very important to Joseph.  From 1998 to 2021, he volunteered an impressive skill set to the Zach Gordon Teenage Club, Juneau Kayak Club, Cleveland County Arts Council, Farmington Museum, Riverside Nature Center, and the Port Townsend School District.

Joseph inspired everyone he met to follow their dreams unafraid and live life to its fullest.  Up to his final days he was still receiving an outpouring of love via texts, phone calls, Face Time video chats, emails, and cards from those he met while on travels, during time teaching, and time spent in community service.  Joseph’s family is very grateful for all of the love and support they have received.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Eve Fieldhouse;  sisters Joann Patterson and Nancy Weir-Reeves; Aunt Marjorie Navaroli;  nephews Shane Patterson and Gregg Patterson;  great-nephews Tyler Patterson, Jack Patterson, Aedan Culkin; and great-nieces Kaylee Patterson and Kate Patterson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ola.

“Thank divine providence that I have been freed from a small and gloomy cage and, like the birds of the meadows, have soared to the divine world - a world which is spacious, illumined, and ever gay and jubilant.   I have shaken off the mortal form and have raised my banner in this spiritual world.  Following this separation is everlasting companionship.   Thou shalt find me in the heaven of the Lord, immersed in an ocean of light”  --Bahai Writings

Per Joseph’s request there will be no funeral services.   Before he passed on, Joseph asked that his ashes be spread on a favorite island in Southeast Alaska where he and Eve often spent many blissful sea kayaking / camping days. Family and friends are invited to share memories of Joseph and sign the online guestbook.