Reginald “Reg” Empie of Sedona, Arizona, a kind and dependable father who had a 30-year career at IBM, died peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2022. He was 85.
He was born in November 1936 in Albany to Luther and Violet Empie. He grew up in Guilderland Center with his younger brothers, Bryant and Denny.

As a teen, he loved to spend time hunting and fishing and worked alongside his father at Empie’s Market.  He graduated from Ithaca College and spent his 30-year career at IBM.

“While in college, Reg met and fell in love with the first of his many wives, Sharyl,” his family wrote in a tribute. “They married in 1958. Reg and Sharyl welcomed their first child in 1960, a daughter, Lisa; then their second child in 1961, a son, Eric.

“Being a kind and dependable father was of utmost importance to Reg and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his children. With his family, Reg enjoyed spending time throughout the years at his parents’ camp on Duane Lake in Duanesburg, New York.

“Reg also enjoyed regaling anyone who’d listen with his many entertaining stories; many of them off color. This led to him being referred to by many friends as being a ‘character.’”

He is survived by daughter, Lisa Totemoff (David) of Tatitlek, Alaska; son, Eric Empie (Daniel) of Sedona, Arizona; brother, Bryant Empie of Guilderland Center, New York; and ex-wives, Dorothy and Carrie.

His parents, Luther and Violet Empie, died before him, as did his brother Denny and wives Sharyl, Becky, and Mary Lu.

“In his last act of kindness,” his family wrote, “Reg donated his body to science so there will be no services held.”