Reece Simms Cave, Sacramento realtor and actor, died in a Reno hospital February 17, 1997, after suffering a heart attack.  He was 72.

Mr. Cave, remembered for his sharp wit and zest for life, moved to Sacramento in 1960 while working for IBM.  In 1969, Reece resigned from IBM and became a realtor and later formed his own brokerage, Cal-Real in 1972.  He joined Lyon and Associates in 1983 and helped established its corporate relocation program.

Born in 1924 in Redondo Beach, Reece interrupted his studies at USC when he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a recreation director in New Caledonia.  After the war, he returned to USC and began his acting career as an extra at MGM and Universal Studios in Southern California.  He graduated from USC in 1950.

During the '70s and '80s, he also resumed his acting career, performing with the Sacramento Music Circus, JayRob Playhouse and the Stagedoor Comedy Playhouse.  He was an ardent skier who hosted a weekly ski show on KXTV Channel 10 and appeared in numerous radio and television commercials locally, regionally, and nationally.  He and his wife, Karla, were featured as models for cruise trips in various travel advertisements and brochures.  Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Candace Cave of Citrus Heights;  sons, Reece Bartlett Cave and Stephen Toepke of Sacramento, and Barry Toepke of Rocklin; and three grandchildren.

Sacramento Bee, February 22, 1997