March 5, 2009
by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE – An active elder in Beaver-Butler Presbytery has gone missing under unusual circumstances and the presbytery is seeking information from anyone who might have seen him.

Tom Reiber, an elder in Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople, appears to be headed for Mexico, said Beaver-Butler's executive presbyter, Alan Adams.

"Tom's a well-respected attorney in Pittsburgh," Adams told the Presbyterian News Service on March 3. "Yesterday (March 2), he called his wife on his way to work and told her he wasn't feeling well and was returning home."

Reiber was captured on a video surveillance camera purchasing cough medicine at a local pharmacy at 10:50 a.m. That was the last time he was seen in western Pennsylvania.

Adams, who worked as a detective before entering the ministry in the early 1990s, said a credit card in Reiber's name was used in Bowling Green, KY, Kingston Spring, TN, and North Little Rock, AR. "Whether he's alone or has been abducted somehow, it appears his car is making a bee-line for Mexico," Adams said.

Police will not get involved until 48 or 72 hours have elapsed, depending on the circumstances "and we don't want to wait that long, especially under these circumstances," Adams said. Family and friends are unaware of any problems or stresses Reiber might be under, he added.

Tom Reiber is apparently in a 2000 dark green Honda Odyssey minivan, Pennsylvania license plate PZL912G.

Anyone who sees Reiber or who might know what is going on is asked to call Alan Adams at (724) 601-7686.

Presbyterian News Service