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THOMAS G. REED Ph.D.

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West Chester University

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THOMAS REED Obituary

REED
THOMAS G. PhD, 73, of West Chester, on October 9, 2014. Brother of Charles A. Reed and Robert G. Reed; life partner of Sandee Young. Tom was a professor of communications at West Chester University for more than 40 years but was more known for being a friend and help to all he met. There is no service. Memorial contri-butions may be made to: First Church of Christ, Scientist, 908 West Ave., Jenkintown, PA 19046. Condolences may be made by visiting:

www.foundsfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on Oct. 11, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for THOMAS REED

Sponsored by Founds-Feryo Cremation and Burial Services, LLC.

35 Entries

Alan Prout

August 12, 2015

Tom remains a very special friend to me; although communication has been scarce, we were kindred spirits and no man more profoundly inspired me and influenced my life. Tom's attitude of anything - is- possible with love, laughter, and creativity is a model for all. His gracious spirit lives me and countless others; his reflection of God's qualities is a blessing that will echo down the corridors of time.

November 18, 2014

You are invited to Tom's Gathering
November 22 nd - 1-4 PM
The Elks Club
401 W Washington Street, West Chester, PA
Think of a Tom Story!!

Nancy Moore

November 16, 2014

I'm so grateful to have had the privilege of knowing Tom through Crystal Lake Camps, first as a camper and later when I joined the staff. Tom touched me and so many others through his selfless, caring, generous, creative spirit. He will be sorely missed but he will remain alive in the hearts of all of us who knew him.

November 14, 2014

Derek Frey

Very sad to hear the news of Tom's passing. Last week I was asked to answer some questions for the WCU Alumni Newsletter and I sited Dr. Reed as a professor who was particularly supportive of my filmmaking endeavors. This morning I thought it would be great to get in touch with Tom and see if he perhaps still had photos or behind the scenes footage he shot during one of my projects. I had no idea that he had passed until I looked him up today. He was the best kind of mentor who looked to help not only in the classroom but beyond and for that I am thankful. -Derek Frey

November 3, 2014

I was a misplaced music major when I went to West Chester State. At the end of my sophomore year, I changed my major to communications. Newly assigned, I went to Dr. Reed's class first, as my roster required. He was welcoming and engaging and made a misfit like me, fit in. Thank you Dr. Reed. May you rest in peace.

~Colleen Leonard Leyden '83

Dwight Middleton

November 2, 2014

I was deeply saddened by the passing of Tom. He was a true inspiration for the people who knew him. I am sure that he is carrying on already in the next experience that comes hi way.

Julie Williams

November 1, 2014

Tom meant a lot to my brother-in-law and HIS brother, and I cherish that. Here's a funny story about how Tom helped: One day I had a charge on my credit card bill from a mysterious thing called QVC. THis was long before QVC was a familiar word, and I had no idea what that meant, nor had I made the charge. My brother-in-law suggested that Tom might know what it meant. So I called him, and he did! I was able to get the fraudulent charge taken off. Wow, Tom was magical on that occasion!

November 1, 2014

Tom was a long time friend who always was smiling and full of joy. A man of character who loved everyone he met. Go forward, Tom. Eileen Thompson Sheets..

Ginger Nelles

November 1, 2014

I was very saddened to learn of Tom's passing. I have known him since 1966 through our mutual association with Crystal Lake Camps. He was such a good person and a friend to everyone he met. He will be greatly missed.

Nancy MacMeekin

October 24, 2014

Tom was a friend who was a lot of fun to be with, a man with many talents, who reached out to help many others in his various activities. His effects on individuals' lives, a continuing legacy, is certainly evident in the other posts, which reveal new facets of his well-lived life to me.

Soon after we met In the late'50s, he was part of a West Chester College (now University) gymnastics team that performed at my high school -- what great athleticism! Over the following decades, as we met occasionally at social group activities, I especially noticed his inclusion of and consideration for everyone in the group so that all would be having fun.

Sending prayers of love and comfort to Sandee, Bob, and family,
Nancy MacMeekin

Bob Perdick

October 22, 2014

October 13 at 5:27am ·

I'm saddened this morning to learn of the passing of a respected college professor, generous former landlord and loyal long-time friend.

Tom Reed was instrumental in teaching me most of what I know about photography and was the only college professor with whom I kept in touch after leaving West Chester U in the '80s.

I will miss him dearly. Rest well, TGR, and have fun showing around all those awesome pictures you'd taken over the years.

john greenberg

October 22, 2014

He was a great teacher

Christine Gaspar

October 20, 2014

October 20,2014
All these memories of Tom are consistent- a kind man with a great sense of humor, a great professor, someone who gave to others in need along with his life partner Sandee, my cousin. Tom was a member of our family and we're really going to miss him. It was great to have known him.
Much love to his family and to Sandee.

Jim Esch

October 18, 2014

Tom was one of a kind. We have so many fond memories of time spent together, working with computers and video, sharing dinner after snow blizzards, and friendly conversations. His wry sense of humor, his laugh, his generosity, whimsy and independent spirit -- I will always cherish those things. My condolences to Sandee and Tom's family.

Sandy Putt

October 18, 2014

So long Tom, I'll sure miss our talks and your laugh.

October 17, 2014

Tom will be missed very much. We can't think of Tom without picturing his genuine smile and hearing his laughter. His wry sense of humor always put an interesting slant on any topic. No one was more creative with a camera than Tom and he willingly shared this gift with others. Sandee and Tom were a team who touched many lives with their willingness to lend a helping hand in any way they could. Their faithfulness and kindness toward each other were a testament to their love.
Tom will be dearly missed.

Linda Davis and Debbie Maxwell

Aubrey A Hays

October 16, 2014

Talk about a neat guy. Tom Reed was the first professor I met at West Chester when I started working in the Bull Center TV Studio in 1999. He would bring in his new classes each semester, and turn the lights completely out, and ask them to tell stories about ANYTHING. Then, students would break into groups and make short videos, and did so throughout the year making sometimes really awful videos, sometimes hysterical, and never uninteresting. In a school with no film major and no TV broadcast major, he challenged people to find a way to get involved, and many of his students went on to some amazing careers. Oh, and somehow, he was friends with the Dalai Lama, and that tidbit of info probably wouldn't surprise anyone who knew Tom, a very peaceful and loving man.

October 15, 2014

paul ford's picture

October 15, 2014

Tim Yarling

October 15, 2014

Tom stayed over at our house for his Association meeting every year since I was a small child. We used to share a bunk bed, and I would sometimes fall off the top bunk onto the floor during the night and not wake up (and neither would he).

Occasionally we would visit his Amish friends in Pennsylvania and Indiana (bringing along 20 German exchange students one time), and he really enjoyed visiting with and caring for them.

I also joined him on a 2-week sailing trip that he led in the Bahamas that everyone thought was great. The photography tips were wonderful, and later he even filmed our wedding in Indianapolis.

Tom always wanted to check that you were OK, and would ask probing questions to make sure. He had a way to get you to talk, and his wonderful sense of humor always made you feel comfortable being around him. You could tell he really cared.

We'll certainly miss him and will keep him in our hearts forever.

October 15, 2014

Pam Tuckey

Todd was an awesome college professor, who helped run the Christian Science Organization at West Chester University ! He shared wonderful ideas with all the college students and helped us out in time of need. Tom was a wonderful Sunday School teacher to many children. Tom shared his love and wonderful thoughts with all of us ! Tom's films and photos will be treasurer and enjoyed because of this lovely man ! All are love and prayers ! Love , Todd, Pam , Tammy & Terry Tuckey

October 15, 2014

I grew up across the street from Tom and his brothers and next door to his cousins, the Quindrys. My memories of Tom are that he was always kind to and patient with those of us who were younger. Rather than regarding us as nuisances, he saw us as eager little people ready to explore and to learn from him. Tom made the earth a better place.
Elaine Sender Muntzer

October 15, 2014

Andrew Parke

Tom always had a laugh and encouragement. He was instrumental in getting my short films made. A true mentor. I have many great memories of those incredible Bahamas Photo/Video trips that he orchestrated. We even did part of our honeymoon trip one year with he and all the crew on the "Dolphin" sailing ship in the beautiful Caribbean. I have many video and photo memories somewhere in my garage as proof of our adventures. And despite all his technical curiosity he was not a big emailer. So, I did not hear from him as often as I'd have liked in the last few years. He was very influential with many WCU students and is sadly missed. -Andrew Parke

Comment • Posted October 14 at 11:38 AM CST • Share: FaceBook Twitter Twitter Send Mail

Guest

Kim Lefever
K

Kim Lefever

I shared a cup of coffee with this wonderful man everyday for almost nine years. He always asked about my family, and even took quite a few pictures of them on the rare occasions they came to visit the diner. He gave selflessly to my aunt who needs a lung transplant never expexting anything in return. He praised the milkshakes i made for him when the mood struck him to join me a second time in the same day. My heart hurts that he is no longer here with us yet my heart is joyous that he now knows no pain. You will be missed dearly Professor

Comment • Posted October 13 at 5:51 PM CST • Share: FaceBook Twitter Twitter Send Mail

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Susan Esslinger
S

Susan Esslinger

A truer friend could not be found. Tom never hesitated to help anyone in need. Whether your request was large or small, Tom never said no. He embraced everyone in his love. Surely, he set an example for us all to emulate. We send love and prayers to his wonderful family, Susan and Scott Esslinger

Comment • Posted October 13 at 12:21 PM CST • Share: FaceBook Twitter Twitter Send Mail

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Mrs. MIke
M

Mrs. MIke

All of us at Mrs Mike's will miss Tom . He always made me feel so special, as he did everyone else. Always had a hug! If there is anything I can do for the family please contact me, I will be willing to help any way that I can. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Sincerely, Mrs. Mike

Comment • Posted October 13 at 7:41 AM CST • Share: FaceBook Twitter Twitter Send Mail

Barry Crutchfield

October 14, 2014

So many people you touched, so many people you taught, so many minds you expanded.You were a great man, who always had a kind word for anyone. I thank Tom for all he has done for so many.

Paul Ford

October 14, 2014

I am so sorry to hear of his loss. My deepest condolences to Sandee and to Tom's family.

Tom was a great and supportive friend and counselor to me when I was young and needed the support very badly. He was always a patient listener and his porch was always crowded with good people. There was a great community around him and I've never known anything like it. I'm sad there is no memorial service, because stories about Tom tend to be hilarious and almost mythic. But maybe the best way to honor Tom's memory is just to leave my porch open to any visitors who might drop by and need to talk.

Once about 20 years ago Tom called to tell me that a young mutual friend of ours had passed away unexpectedly. When I said how sorry and shocked I was to hear it, Tom said, "It was good to have known him." It was a good lesson: Focus on the gift, not the grief. I was very lucky that he was there for me. It was good to have known Tom.

Mimi Hoffman Sitterly

October 14, 2014

Tom is my cousin and friend. I just love his laugh, his constant goodness and his spiritually uplifted thought. Once when I was worried over a financial change in my life Tom reminded me that my support had always come from God not from dollars. He pointed out that my income was not about a 9-5 job. Instead, it was the spiritual income always available. What an uplift! It was a lesson I still cherish. And I must mention his remarkable sense of humor and fun...what a joy to be around him! I'm so grateful to know that good qualities, ideas of God, can never end.....NEVER. Loving you.

Edward Wilson

October 13, 2014

Tom and I taught at the Laboratory School at West Chester U. in the sixties. In his own kind, patient way, Tom frequently was able to affect a positive change in difficult students. He was a compassionate, dedicated teacher who made the world a better place.

Gregory Gochtovtt

October 13, 2014

My deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Reed. I did not know him, but I am sure that he was a great man, and a great teacher.

Gregory Gochtovtt
Administrative Assistant
West Chester University English Department

Bob Perdick

October 13, 2014

Tom was a respected teacher, a generous landlord and a loyal friend, for me and for many others. He also knew some pretty great places to go for breakfast, and awesome locales to take folks on Spring Break. I am quite shocked and very saddened to hear of his passing. Rest in peace, old friend, and have fun showing off all those cool pictures.

Wilma Ford

October 12, 2014

I am so sorry to learn of Tom's passing. He was a gentle soul and a good friend to my family.

Lou Young

October 12, 2014

I loved Tom for how he made all of us feel, especially my sister Sandee. Together they changed the world around them - for the better. I loved listening to them laugh. Tom helped expand my world - his keen insights as well as his total commitment to everything he focused on was an inspiration. He was family. We will miss him but he will always be with us.

Lou Young

Jeff Smith

October 12, 2014

Tom was a friend to all who met him. He'll be remembered for his loving spirit, generosity and keen sense of humor. He made the world a better place.

Matt King

October 12, 2014

I met Tom in 1994...He was my college advisor and professor at WCU...We quickly became great friends...He was always there to help me out...no matter what...I could always count on Tom...I have never met anyone like him...A truly selfless person...He had the great gift to heal others through love and laughter...I am very sad to hear of Tom's passing...love you always Tom...

Todd Tuckey

October 11, 2014

The Tuckey Family knew Tom for many years and loved his quick wit and gentle spirit! A caring man who was a fantastic professor and gifted photographer, we will miss him greatly!

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