Robert J. Reiber, 96, of Dawsonville, died Dec. 18, 2011.

Born June 15, 1915, in Keams Canyon, Ariz., to the late Col. Martin Robert and Mary Pfister Reiber, he was raised in a military family that lived and served in the Continental U.S., U.S. territorial Islands, the Philippines and Panama.

Mr. Reiber was a graduate of the University of Georgia who reached the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II, where he served as a medic in the Pacific Theater.

He raised a family in Decatur and at the same time was the head of the biology department at Georgia State University, from which he retired in 1970.

An avid hunter, he had traveled to Africa on more than 10 safari hunts.

Mr. Reiber also wrote articles and made photographs for numerous shooting magazines and won many awards for being a world-class marksman.

Since 1987 he had been a resident of Dawsonville, where he was instrumental in developing the River Bend Gun Club.

His wife, Jane Byrd Reiber and brothers, Edward Reiber, Johnny Reiber and a sister, Betty Ann Moss; preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sons and daughter-in-law, Bobby Reiber of Dawsonville, Jimmy and Pat Reiber of Columbus, Ga.; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and A.D. "Tom" Ferguson of Houma, La.; sisters, Josephine Lawrence of Satellite Beach, Fla., Mary Louise Martin of Knotts Island, N.C.; brothers, James Reiber of Leesville, La., Fritz Reiber of Lawerence, Kan.; grandchildren, Scott Ferguson, Mike Ferguson, Chris Ferguson, Kelly Koch, Caprice Reiber; seven great-grandchildren; various other relatives also survive.

At his request Mr. Reiber was cremated and private memorial services will be held.

Those who wish may make donations to the River Bend Gun Club Scholarship Fund, c/o Gene Gray, 1128 Promontory Drive, Marietta, GA 30062.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville was in charge of the arrangements.