R.J. Reger, 43; founded law firm

Robert J. Reger, 43, of Worcester, founding partner of the law firm Reger, Rizzo & Darnall in Philadelphia, died of an apparent heart attack Sunday at his vacation home in Avalon.

Since its establishment in 1992, Reger, Rizzo & Darnall has expanded to seven offices with 50 lawyers. Mr. Reger was managing partner in the firm's headquarters in the Cira Centre skyscraper in West Philadelphia. He specialized in complex commercial and casualty litigation cases.

"Bob was energetic, charming and charismatic," said Thomas Schindler, managing partner of the firm's West Chester office. He was even-handed with his employees, Schindler said, and enjoyed mentoring younger lawyers.

Mr. Reger grew up in Berwyn and graduated from Conestoga High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from Villanova University. He was a lawyer with the firm Dougherty & Stonelake in Philadelphia before establishing Reger, Rizzo & Darnall. He was a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Pennsylvania Defense Institute.

Since 1992, Mr. Reger had been married to Patricia O'Callaghan Reger. The couple met at the Irish Pub in Philadelphia. He loved fishing at the Jersey Shore and swimming in the backyard pool with their three children, and "just cuddling with his kids," his wife said.

"Bob arranged his schedule so he could focus on his work and his family," Schindler said. He got up very early in the morning so he could leave the office in time to coach his sons' baseball teams and often skipped business dinners to get to games, Schindler said.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Reger is survived by sons Robert "RJ" Jr. and Thomas; daughter Emily; his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Reger; and two sisters.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Williams Funeral Home, Skippack Pike and Cedars Road, Skippack, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday at Corpus Christi Church, 900 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 625 W. Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, Pa. 19428.