Skip to content
Obituaries
Link copied to clipboard

Ruben E. Reina, 92, Penn professor and museum curator

Ruben E. Reina, 92, formerly of Wallingford, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Pennsylvania and curator at the Penn Museum, died Saturday, Dec. 17, at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square.

Ruben E. Reina, 92, formerly of Wallingford, a cultural anthropologist at the University of Pennsylvania and curator at the Penn Museum, died Saturday, Dec. 17, at Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square.

Dr. Reina taught at Penn and worked at the museum from 1957 to 1990, when he assumed the titles of emeritus professor of anthropology and emeritus museum curator.

Although he was interested in the modern and historical cultures of Central America, South America, and Spain, Dr. Reina was known for his study of the culture and people of Guatemala.

He focused on the Maya, and modern peasants and urban communities. In addition to Guatemala, he did fieldwork in Argentina, Spain, and Puerto Rico.

Born in Huinca Renancó, Córdoba Province, Argentina, he graduated from high school in Argentina, and studied at the University of Córdoba before immigrating to the United States in 1947, with $100 in his pocket.

"He came here for educational pursuit and at the encouragement of a faculty member at the University of Michigan," said his son Roger.

Dr. Reina enrolled at the university, where he met Betty Ruth Burton. The couple married in 1951.

He received a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan and a master of arts degree from Michigan State University, both in sociology and anthropology.

In 1957, he earned a doctorate in anthropology from the University of North Carolina, becoming the first student to receive a Ph.D. in that subject from the school.

Initially, Dr. Reina accepted an assistant professorship in Penn's department of anthropology and an assistant curatorship at the museum. He rose to professor and curator.

Dr. Reina joined the Hispanic-Latin American Research Project. Begun in 1967, it collected artifacts and manuscripts from Spain and Latin American for the museum, where they could be seen by the public and used for scholarly research.

Dr. Reina served as director of the project, which lasted 20 years. His work was supported by grants from the Ford Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the American Philosophical Society. His scholarly papers are on file with the society.

As museum curator, Dr. Reina directed exhibitions of the textiles of the Maya people of Guatemala, Guatemalan pottery, and the feather work of native South American peoples.

"It was fabulous," his son said of the feather work display, which led Dr. Reina to edit a book of essays on the subject.

In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Reina painted in oils, watercolors, and acrylic, and did pen and ink drawings. Some of his artworks have been shown publicly.

He also enjoyed sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, playing the piano, and traveling the world.

Besides his son and his wife of 65 years, he is survived by sons Mark and Randy; four grandchildren; a sister; and extended family in Argentina.

A celebration of life will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Dunwoody Village, 3500 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square. Burial is private.

bcook@phillynews.com

610-313-8102