Reed Applegate

1943 - 2022

HAROLD REED APPLEGATE March 26, 1943 August 21, 2022 Reed Applegate was born in Chico on March 26, 1943 to Michael and Jean Applegate at Enloe Hospital. As a child, Reed was stricken with Polio and came very close to being placed in an iron lung. Reed attended Citrus Elementary and Chico Junior High, where he developed his love for art. While at Chico High School, he took several classes with art teacher John Randall. Reed graduated from Chico State College in 1965. He started his life-long passion for collecting art in 1964, with his first purchase of a Kathe Kollwitz print. That developed into a deep love of Northern California art, which he collected until the time of his death. At Chico State he took classes from Dr. Janet Turner, a world-known printmaker. Although he collected all forms of art, he maintained his love of fine art prints. Reed was also an active supporter of the Northstate Symphony, Chico Community Ballet and the Turner Print Museum. Reed was well-known for his walks around town and visits to coffee shops and art stores. He would spend most Saturday afternoons having coffee at Starbucks, saying it was his "nod to corporate America." Reed was an accomplished piano player and had a baby grand piano in his living room, where he would surprise unsuspecting visitors with his virtuosity. Reed was on the first Reunion Committee for the Chico High Class of 1961 and remained until his death on August 21, 2022. Reed was preceded in death by his father Michael and his beloved mother Jean. He leaves behind two cousins, Lila Montgomery of Orange County and Richard Applegate of Durham. As Reed always said, "he was just passing through." A celebration of life will be announced and held at a later date.