J. David Reed

1941 - 2015

J. David Reed, a retired economics professor at Bowling Green State University who in his 40-year tenure served as department chairman and did research in urban and regional economics, died Tuesday in a Traverse City, Mich., rehabilitation facility. He was 73.

Mr. Reed, a Traverse City resident for eight years, had Guillain-Barre syndrome the last two years, his daughter, Allison, said. Nearly complete paralysis accompanied the sudden onset of the condition. He came home after 10 months and in time could walk, write, hold a book, and read.

"The one thing he wanted more than anything was to hold a book," his daughter said.

He kept his resolve through setbacks.

"He said, 'I'm not done yet. I'm not done with my grandkids. I want them to see me get better,' and they did," his daughter said.

Mr. Reed retired from BGSU in 2005 and taught for about three years more.

He was hired in 1968 and appointed a full professor of economics in 1978.

"He was a thoughtful guy and somebody who had a lot of courage," said John Hoag, a retired BGSU economics professor and a friend.

"He was somebody who really enjoyed talking about ideas, and he was a really wonderful academic."

During Mr. Reed's eight years as chairman, he led the economics department through a "rather contentious relationship with one of the deans," said Mr. Hoag, who succeeded Mr. Reed as chairman. "He represented the majority of the faculty very well."

Early in his career, Mr. Reed's focus was research, his daughter said.

He and two colleagues were awarded a grant in 1978 to study whether lenders denied mortgages in urban centers based on race and geographic location, and he published papers on the economic impact of air quality standards.

"As his career went on, that switched, and he had a new love of teaching," his daughter said. He liked working with students for whom college wasn't a given, for whom "it took a lot to get them there," his daughter said. "He wanted to help students who valued an education."

"His reputation was tough," his daughter said. "He graded on a huge curve. Nobody got an A unless they really earned it."

Mr. Hoag added: "The students who took the time to work with him appreciated what he did."

Mr. Reed had been a president of several professional organizations, including of the Mid-Continent Regional Science Association. He also was a leader in Bowling Green youth hockey.

James David Reed, the son of Daisy and Lloyd Reed, was born Sept. 7, 1941.

He was a graduate of Lone Oak High School in Paducah, Ky., and received a bachelor's degree from Washburn University of Topeka in Kansas.

He received his doctorate in economics from Kansas State University

He and the former Nancy Kay Carloss married on July 26, 1963. She died July 20, 1991.

Surviving are his wife, Judy, whom he married June 28, 1998; son, Michael Reed; daughter, Allison Rolsten, and five grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be from 2-5 p.m. today in Nazareth Hall near Grand Rapids, Ohio, with a memorial service at 2:30 p.m.

Arrangements are by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City, Mich.

The family suggests tributes to the John Hoag scholarship fund at the BGSU economics department.

Contact Mark Zaborney at: mzaborney@theblade.com or 419-724-6182.