ROBERT JEFFREY REED III, MD

REED
ROBERT JEFFREY III, M.D.
Passed away peacefully at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Wheeling, WV on January 31, 2016, at the age of 88. Dr. Reed was a lifelong resident of Wheeling, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather practicing medicine and surgery. He was dedicated to his family and his community. Dr. Reed's distinguished lineage can be traced back to the Revolutionary War with his ancestor, Alexander Burns. His grandfather, Robert Reed, Sr. MD was instrumental in the founding of Ohio Valley Medical Center. In fact, four generations of Reed family physicians have continued to serve OVMC and the Ohio Valley community. Also noteworthy, Dr. Reed's grandmother, Mary Louise Butler Reed, was the founding president of the Wheeling YWCA, and a member of the Wheeling Hall of Fame. She was lifetime Honorary Vice President General of the National Organization of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dr. Reed graduated from the Linsly Military Institute, where he was selected as the Cadet Major his Senior year, Dartmouth College class of 1949, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He subsequently completed a surgical residency at the University of Pittsburgh and Walter Reed Medical Center and a fellowship in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Allegheny General Hospital. During World War II, Dr. Reed served as a U.S. Army medic stationed in Germany prior to starting medical school. Upon completion of his training, he returned to Wheeling and joined his father's medical practice at the 12th Street location where his grandfather and father were established. Dr. Reed was considered a medical pioneer in Wheeling and the Ohio Valley in pacemaker implantation and cardiovascular surgical procedures. Throughout his career, Dr. Reed was a humble physician totally devoted to the care of his patients. He was recognized and beloved as the consummate compassionate, kind and caring doctor as well as a gifted surgeon. The hospital was his life, and his heart was always in providing his patients with the best care possible. Dr. Reed was also beloved by the OVMC nurses who respected the quality of care he gave to all of his patients as well as his excellent teaching and educational skills. He was a staff member of OVMC, Reynolds Memorial, Wheeling Hospital, Bellaire Hospital, Martins Ferry Hospital and Peterson Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Reed was instrumental in the development of EMSTAR, the OVMC trauma unit, where he served as its medical director and Trauma Surgeon until his retirement in 2000. In addition, he was medical director of the OVMC Hyperbaric Oxygen Unit towards the end of his career. Dr. Reed was active in the West Virginia Medical Society and was a member of the Schwinn Study Club. In addition, he was a member of the Fort Henry Club, Wheeling Country Club where he was several times club golf champion, Sons of the American Revolution, and the First Presbyterian Church. He is survived by five children, Valerie Reed Zeller (Randall) of Dallas, TX, Dr. Janis Reed (Dr. Marc Hoffman) of Pittsburgh, PA, Vanessa Reed Koush (Robert) of Houston, TX and Hilton Head, SC, Robert J. Reed, IV (Heather) of Crystal River, FL and James Alexander Reed of Columbus, Ohio. In addition, he is survived by nine grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren and his sister, Louise Rawlings of Lawrenceville, Virginia. Visitation will be at KEPNER FUNERAL HOME, 1308 Chapline St., Wheeling, WV (304-232-5110) on Wednesday, February 3, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. A private family graveside funeral service will follow in West Alexander Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the OVHS&E Foundation for EMSTAR, 2000 Eoff St., Wheeling. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of the Good Shepherd Nursing Home for the excellent care given to their father over the past seven years.