Jesse Reinstein
April 06, 1942 - October 26, 2022
Obituary
The Reinstein family is sad to share their beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Jesse G. Reinstein, age 80, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 26, 2022.
Dr. Jesse Gordon Reinstein was born on April 6th, 1942 in Bronx, New York, to Abraham and Rose (Scher) Reinstein. He was united in marriage to Fern Kouvant on October 3, 1971 in Queens, New York and they made their life and home in Platteville, Wisconsin.
Jesse committed his life to higher education. He graduated from Hunter College in New York and proudly received his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Kansas. He started teaching at UW-Platteville in 1968 and “retired” after 40 years of teaching in 2008. However, retirement never quite felt right and he continued to teach until the present day. He was a fierce advocate of student success and found great joy in all of the students he interacted with.
Jesse and Fern started JAS (Joanna/Adam/Suzanne) Candies many years ago as a hobby for the kids, giving them something fun and constructive to do on a rainy day. JAS Candies evolved into a business based on making people happy with the spirit of sharing and giving to others. This remained a consistent theme of how Jesse lived his life. This hobby continued well beyond the kids leaving for their own adventures and have brought smiles and joy to many.
Jesse loved to spend his time in service. He volunteered in countless ways within the community and especially at his beloved Southwest Opportunities Center.
Jesse loved his dogs fiercely as well as all species of birds and animals. Of his many hobbies, making sure they were well fed was among them.
Anyone who knew him and even those who didn't, Jesse always had a riddle or joke for you. He would unapologetically beat you to the laugh often times struggling to complete the joke as a result of his boyish laughter.
Jesse is survived by his wife Fern, son Adam (Danielle MacLaurin), daughters Suzanne (Kenyari Brown), grandchildren Ari and Sasha Brown, Joanna and grandchild Alana Perkins and his brother Phillip.
Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Jesse G. Reinstein Scholarship Fund to be set up at Mound City Bank. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.
Visitation services will take place in Platteville, Wisconsin on Monday, October 31, 2022 at Melby Funeral Home & Crematory at 10:00 AM immediately followed by a noon memorial service. A luncheon to follow.
A Facebook live link will be available at www.melbyfh.com.
Fern and family want to THANK everyone for their patronage of JAS Candies over the years but without Jesse it would not be the same. JAS candies is now officially closed for business.