As a student at the University of Northern Iowa, Reggie played an important role in forming the UNI Jazz Festival, now known as the Tall Corn Jazz Festival. The Great Plains Jazz Festival was started under his leadership during his time at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. While teaching at Buena Vista College, he began the Reggie Schive Summer Jazz Camp. This was the first camp dealing exclusively with jazz education. When he left Buena Vista College, the camp moved to Lake Okoboji. He was the director of the camp for 20 years and it continues in his name.

Mr. Reginald R. Schive was born May 29, 1930, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Francis and Hope (Simpson) Schive. He was raised in the Fort Dodge area, graduating from Fort Dodge High School and Junior College. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa and was awarded his master's degree in music education from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colo.

His teaching career began in Alta, Iowa, as a high school band director for 16 years. In 1968, he accepted a position as associate professor of music and director of bands at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He moved back to secondary school music as a high school band director at Humboldt, Iowa, for several years. The collegiate musical life again called him to Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he was a director of bands and associate professor of music for seven years. His next seven years were spent as a band director at West High School in Sioux City. In 1994, he served as an adjunct professor clarinet and saxophone at Morningside College in Sioux City and continued to teach privately in his home until his death in 2004.

In addition to his full-time teaching career, Mr. Schive was the conductor and musical arranger of the Fort Dodge Civic Glee Club and Orchestra from 1958 to 1985.

As a ninth grader in high school, in 1946, Reg was invited by Mr. Karl L. King to join the clarinet section of the "King Band" of Fort Dodge. He played in the band until 1978, when he became the conductor for another 25 years of service. In 1993, he received the Karl L. King Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Bandmasters Association.

Reg was inducted into the Iowa Jazz Educators Hall of Fame. He considered it his most significant distinction.

He was a member of numerous musical and educational organizations. Reg played as a professional musician. He also appeared as guest soloist, clinician and adjudicator in several states. He played with such notables as Clark Terry, Dick Oatts, Arnie Lawerence and Eddie Daniels and was a member of the Sioux City Jazz Orchestra.

As a member of Morningside Lutheran Church, he enjoyed sharing his talents in solos, choir, Jubilation and church orchestra.