Bobbi and Roy Reiman 2003

Bobbi & Roy Reiman

Roy - BS 1957, Agricultural Journalism
Greendale, Wis.

Roy Reiman, who built the country’s largest, private, subscription-based publishing company, remembers his first magazine. Pepperette, a magazine geared toward teenaged cheerleaders, band, and pep-squad members, folded after two issues. But 35 years later, one out of every eight households in the United States subscribes to a Reiman magazine. His 10 magazines, which celebrate home, food, nostalgia, country living, and families share a common thread: no advertising, glossy photos, and 80 percent of the issues are written by his readers.

Roy and Bobbi Reiman’s gift of Reiman Gardens and the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing have made the name “Reiman” synonymous with “natural beauty.” In addition to giving gardens and butterflies, the Reimans also believe in giving opportunity. An entrepreneurial scholars and lectures program in the College of Business also bears their name. Roy is a past president of the Iowa State University Alumni Association Board of Directors, an ISU Foundation Governor, an Order of The Knoll Campanile Award recipient, and an ISU Foundation Philanthropy Award recipient. Bobbi is an Order of The Knoll Campanile Award recipient, ISU Foundation Philanthropy Award recipient, and a member of the University Museums Curators Associates. The Reimans are life members of the ISU Alumni Association.