Dr. D. Eugene Reed Ph.D.

Dr. Eugene D. Reed, Ph.D
October 12, 1919 ~ October 29, 2008

PEBBLE BEACH – With sadness the family announces the passing of Eugene Reed, our beloved husband, father,grandfather, cousin and devoted friend, on the morning of October 29, 2008, following a brief illness. He passed very peacefully at his home, with immediate family at his side. Just two weeks prior, we were thankful that Eugene expressed devotion, enjoyment and gratification on his 89th birthday.

   Eugene was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, from 1919 to 1938. In his youth, he excelled in school, enjoyed many outdoor physical activities, and developed a lifelong passion for classical music, becoming a proficient amateur violinist. He became smitten with a beautiful Viennese girl, Joan, a lovely pianist, and his future bride, with whom he delighted playing chamber music. On March 15, 1938 the Nazis occupied Austria, forcing all their families and friends to flee for their lives, seeking refuge in hopefully safer European countries. Eugene's immediate and extended families, including Joan, then his fiance, found respite in England at the home of a heaven-sent relative who had settled there many years prior. In London, despite enduring the terror of The Blitz, Eugene completed his B.S. at the University of London in 1941 and married Joan in 1942

Eugene's immediate family eventually reunited with the families of his cousins after many of them immigrated to Brooklyn, New York. Eugene enlisted in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946, serving during and just after the final year of World War II. Upon his Honorable Discharge and then many years later during his remarkable career in science, Eugene was awarded citations from both the U.S. Army and Navy. As a G.I. Bill student, he attended Columbia University in New York, earning his M.S. in 1947 and his Doctorate's degree in 1953, both in electrical engineering.

Dr. Reed's distinguished science career, spanning 38 years with AT&T's Bell System and its subsidiaries, included eight major promotions during his 30 years with Bell Labs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and eight years with Sandia Labs in New Mexico, where he retired in 1984 as a Vice President, also serving as Chairman of Education and Chairman of Computing, overseeing an organization of 1500 professionals. His numerous honors include a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and membership into the National Academy of Engineering, a division of the National Academy of Sciences.

Eugene and Joan retired to their favorite vacation spot, the Monterey Peninsula, 24 years ago, settling in Pebble Beach. Eugene considered this area a "national treasure." Blessed with a long, active, full retirement, he served on many community and non-profit wildlife boards, supporting his lifelong passion of protecting animals and their habitat, both wild and domestic. He resumed the violin with zest and discipline, playing with two local orchestras, most recently (at age 87!) with the MPC Orchestra, proudly performing as a first violinist, not to mention being the eldest musician in the ensemble. Eugene won numerous ribbons for his impeccably maintained 1961 Corvette, purchased brand new as his sole vehicle for commuting. He was both loyal and distinguished, highly intelligent, articulate with a keen mind and wry wit that those who were privileged to know him will never forget. He adored both culture and nature with enormous enthusiasm. His intellectual depth, originality of insight, lively articulate conversations and keen knowledge of science, history and musicology, to name a few, will be long remembered and dearly missed.

Eugene leaves Joan, his beloved wife of 66 years; his daughter and granddaughter, Eve and Annie Nichol and his little canine companion, "Bonnie" baby. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Big Sur Land Trust, AFRP (Animal Friends Rescue Project) or to your favorite charity. Messages to the family may be sent to: www.legacy.com.
A home remembrance for immediate family is planned.