SHELBY – Shelby High School is hosting a soup and dessert benefit dinner for Bob Reith, on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
This event is being held right before the Shelby vs. St. Peter’s boys basketball game.
Reith suffers from NonAlcoholic SteathoHepatitis (NASH) and is currently awaiting a liver transplant. He is a 1984 alumnus of Shelby High School and spent over 30 years teaching science, history and computer applications at St. Peter’s High School.
In July 2016, Bob had a liver biopsy that confirmed that he suffers from NASH. The report indicated that he was “genetically predisposed” to the illness and he had had it for a long time. This form of NASH causes scarring on the liver that leads to cirrhosis. Unfortunately, Bob has a full-blown case of cirrhosis along with its many side effects.
Bob has been under the care of the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic and was placed on the Liver Transplant List in September.
In the meantime, Bob has had one debilitating health struggle after another, yet still did his best to make it to the classroom to teach. However, the physical and mental effects became just too challenging, and he was forced to give up the career he loved in early December.
“We are very excited to host this benefit for Bob,” said event organizer and niece Stephanie Reith. “Both he and his wife Tressa have devoted so much of their lives to teaching, coaching, and mentoring the students at St. Peter’s. This benefit is the perfect opportunity to show Bob just how much of an impact he has had on the St. Peter’s community, past and present.”
Organizers note that 100 percent of the donations from the event will go to support Bob and his family help to defray the cost of travel expenses and housing in Cleveland following the transplant. Members from both Shelby High School and St. Peter’s High School are volunteering for this benefit.
The family has set up a website for people to contribute even if they are unable to attend the event in person. You can learn more by visiting www.souperbob.com.
