Reave Joseph Watkins, 75, a resident of Honesdale, passed away during a brief hospitalization at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes Barre, PA, on June 10, with his loving wife, Marge, by his side.

A musician, composer, producer, and arranger with more than 48 years of experience, Reave performed with many New Orleans musicians and toured nationally and internationally with popular recording artists. He performed on a Grammy nominated album in 1991 in the Traditional Blues Category (Irma Thomas Live). A student of yoga for more than 29 years, he incorporated yoga philosophy in his approach to music.

Reave was born on August 29, 1950, in New Orleans to Everett and Jennie (Romano) Watkins. As a child, Reave was an avid reader and that love of learning continued throughout his adult life. In addition to music and the arts, he developed a keen interest and understanding of astrology, the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, World War II, aviation, natural and world history, and yoga philosophy. He enjoyed visiting naval and national air museums and submarines. Spending time by and on the water brought him joy and peace since early childhood, when he fished the waters surrounding New Orleans with his father, uncles, and cousins.

Reave's musical talent was innate. Music was his life. He played baritone saxophone, organ, and piano. As a teenager, he and his Francis T. Nichols High School friends formed multiple sequential bands, each produced and written by Reave. The Velvettes, The Q, and Hezakiah performed rock and roll throughout the United States, including New Orleans, Birmingham, Boston, and Atlanta. As an adult, he performed in the French Quarter of New Orleans with Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and toured with blues vocalist Irma Thomas, the "Soul Queen of New Orleans." His love of music spanned many genres, including blues, jazz, and classical compositions.

His interest turned to yoga philosophy upon meeting Swami Rama of the Himalayas when he taught near New Orleans. Reave's love and study of yoga shaped many of his subsequent decisions.

Prior to moving to the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA, in 1996, Reave established and operated a successful bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the French Quarter, where he enjoyed hosting guests from varied backgrounds and cultures.

He traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad, including India, Nepal, Tibet, and the Caribbean. Some of his fondest memories included trekking in the Himalayas; returning to New Orleans to visit with family and friends (who lovingly called him "Doc" or "Sonny"); touring the legendary Muscle Shoals recording studio in Alabama, where Aretha Franklin, Etta James, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and countless others recorded; seeing the Giant Redwoods in California; and traveling to Machias Island off the coast of Maine to see Atlantic puffins.

After retiring in 2017 as the Himalayan Institute's audio-visual director, he continued to volunteer for recording projects and to convert the Institute's books into audiobooks. He derived great pleasure from coaching narrators throughout the recording sessions.

He developed a talent for sharpening knives on a grinding wheel and shaving with a straight razor. He enjoyed sharpening knives for friends and his collection of antique straight razors, exotic sharpening stones, and strops grew as he honed both the razors and his skills.

Ceremonial rituals will be conducted privately by the family at the Jennings - Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., 111 Colburn Ave, Clarks Summit, PA, 18411. His ashes will be taken to his final resting place in India.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Himalayan Institute, 952 Bethany Turnpike, Honesdale, PA, 18431 at himalayaninstitute.org/donate/