Obituary: Joel Reish

Joel Reish died in his home in Dunwoody, Ga., on June 21, surrounded by family and loved ones, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Joel was born in Atlanta on June 20, 1960, as the oldest of three boys. Growing up, he was known for his bright red hair, playing practical jokes and his love of music.

While he may not have ever finished kindergarten, he did earn an undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and completed a Master of Communication at the University of Pennsylvania.

He worked as a radio executive before starting his own market research firm, Next Level Research. He was employed as an executive at Cox Automotive at the time of his death.

Joel was an active member and leader in QRCA, the Qualitative Research Consultants Association. Through the years, he served in many roles, including president, treasurer and editor-in-chief of the magazine. But Joel’s favorite position was being the author of the humor column where he created market research cartoons.

Joel was a loving and dedicated father who raised his daughter to be strong and independent. He made dozens of complex costumes for her and was known throughout the neighborhood for his Halloween haunted house.

Joel loved the outdoors and had a passion for backpacking. He fell in love with Yosemite after his first visit and returned year after year to experience the beauty.

Known affectionately by his nieces and nephew as UJ (Uncle Joel), he could always make them laugh. He had a spreadsheet for every project and a Seinfeld quote for every occasion. His love for his family and sense of humor touched us all and he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his daughter, Allison, parents, Marty and Ralda, brothers, Kenneth and Greg, sisters-in-law, Sherrie and Abby, cats, Milo and Garfield and many nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Yosemite Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works directly with the National Park Service to preserve Joel’s favorite place.

A funeral was held at Temple Emanu-El on Thursday, June 23, followed by a private burial at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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