Harold F. Reheis

Harold Franklin Reheis

Harold F. Reheis, 81, passed away on February 16, 2026, while in hospice care in Vero Beach, Florida and after a lengthy illness. He was with his beloved wife, Diane and sister-in-law, Tammy Adams, during his short stay in hospice.

Born on November 13, 1944, to Lt. Colonel Herman (Rex) Reheis, (USAF, retired) and Mary Maxine Reheis, Harold attended high school at Warner Robins AFB, Ga. and went on to graduate from the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Florida with degrees in Civil-Sanitary Engineering and Environmental Engineering.

Harold met the love of his life, Diane, while he was at Georgia Tech. They married on April 20,1968 and built a life together, enjoying a 58 year marriage living in the Atlanta - Decatur Ga. area. Harold retired in 2020.

Harold and Diane spent their time between homes in Decatur, Ga., Jasper, Ga., and Fort Pierce, Fl., until they moved permanently to Grand Harbor in Vero Beach, FL., where they lived until his passing.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Joseph Reheis and Joe's son, Mike Reheis and granddaughter Gretchen. He is also survived by his sister, Marith Reheis and her children and grandchildren, by his nephew, Jason Reheis, great niece Sarah Reheis, and by his brother-in-law, Patrick Downer, and sisters-in-law, Gerry Gardner, Tammy Adams, and their families.

Harold devoted his professional life to protecting Georgia's natural resources. Over a distinguished career spanning more than 60 years, he served with the U.S. Geological Survey, with Jordan, Jones and Goulding, as Director of the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and with Joe Tanner & Associates. As Director of EPD, he oversaw programs safeguarding Georgia's air, water, land, public drinking water systems, dams, and waste management.

Harold contributed to many dramatic environmental improvements during his work at EPD. When he started his career, most of Georgia's rivers were grossly polluted and dead in the summers; the air in metropolitan Atlanta had harmful amounts of carbon monoxide and ozone, and garbage was disposed or burned in open dumps throughout the State. There was no regulation of hazardous wastes and there were no permitting requirements for agricultural water withdrawals.

Harold helped establish and implement programs to address these serious issues. He was also instrumental in passing the Georgia Hazardous Site Response Act and creating the programs to remediate over one hundred hazardous sites in Georgia.

Respected for his leadership in shaping and enforcing environmental laws, Harold helped position Georgia as a model for other states. Especially his expertise in water resources management strengthened both the state's environment and its economy.

He was widely acclaimed for his leadership in working with the Governor and General Assembly to maintain "One-Stop" permitting of environmental laws and for diplomatically enforcing them in ways that enabled Georgia to effectively issue permits for companies wanting to move to and grow in the State.

Harold worked closely with Cobb Commission Chair Sam Olens, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, and Governor Roy Barnes to create the North Georgia Metro Water District that enabled a single, more efficient regional water planning system.

He was one of the key leaders in defending Georgia against Alabama and Florida in the multi-decade "Water Wars," ultimately winning before the U.S. Supreme Court. Recognizing his many contributions to the management of Georgia's natural resources, he was honored as "Georgian of the Year" by Georgia Trend magazine in 2001.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Harold was an endlessly inquisitive and creative man. Loving the outdoors and spending much time at their cabin in the mountains near Jasper, Ga., Harold was an avid gardener, wood turner and hiker. He found deep joy in nature and remained a passionate advocate for Georgia's environmental future.

Memorial/Celebration of Life services are being planned in his community at Grand Harbor, Vero Beach, Fl.; at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, 2773 N. Decatur Road, Decatur Ga., at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026; followed by a family-only service at the Reheis family plot on his sister's land in Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Habitat for Humanity International, 285 Peachtree Center Ave., NE, #2700, Atlanta, GA 30303.