Cardiac arrest claims the life of a Dyess SNCO Published June 12, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Carolyn Viss 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A Dyess senior noncommissioned officer passed away around 9:30 p.m. June 7, 23 days after suffering cardiac arrest here. Three physical training leaders and a civilian bystander successfully performed cardio pulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation on Senior Master Sgt. Severino "Noel" Reyes, 317th Maintenance Operations Squadron superintendent, who collapsed during a workout at 6:22 a.m. May 15 at the base gym. The injuries he suffered caused damage to his brain and he died under medical care at Hendrick Medical Center. "Noel is remembered by his passion for outdoor activities, his generous smile, and call to leadership as a mentor whose humble nature offered his Airmen praise and a sense of humility," said Second Lt. Greg Long, 7th Services Squadron mortuary affairs officer in charge, after speaking with Sergeant Reyes' wife and family. The 18-plus-year aircraft maintainer was "an avid and perpetual student," and at the age of 46 was training for his eleventh marathon, Lieutenant Long reported. He obtained a master's degree and sang in the choir at Holy Family Catholic Church in his spare time. Master Sgt. Daniel Hill, 317th MOS noncommissioned officer of the maintenance operations center, Staff Sgt. John Quigley, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels specialist, Airman 1st Class Tomme Friar, 7th LRS fuels journeyman, and retired Master Sgt. Robert Peterson, took action that day at the gym to keep Sergeant Reyes alive. They all expressed concern for Sergeant Reyes' family and said their actions were "the least they could do." "I did what I know he'd have done for me," Sergeant Hill, his physical training leader and coworker, said. "My prayers go out to his family." Sergeant Reyes' wife, Janet, and extended family, who reside primarily in California and the Philippines, thanked the hospital and the Dyess community for their "loving care and attention." "From the day Sergeant Reyes, Noel, as we knew him, began his ordeal until the very end, his wife received e-mails and phone calls from people literally all over the world," said Maj. Brian Godfrey, 317th MXO commander. "People Noel worked with over the years from (the Pacific to Europe) wanted to know how they could help, and to let (Janet) know how much they both mean to them. Knowing Noel meant so much to so many people will help his wife through this."