Dad's formal obituary hit the "stands" today
Dad's formal obituary was published in the journal Geothermics today (the October edition). It is probably the best write-up I've gotten to read. I think his boss's talk at the Celebration of Life was more detailed, but this will definitely do.
If you ever wanted to know who my dad was from a professional perspective:
Marshall John Reed passed away of complications from metastatic melanoma at his home in Danville, CA on March 4, 2013; he was 70 years old. Even so, he outlived all predictions from his doctors by more than eight years, a tribute to his tenacity in fighting this deadly disease.
Marshall attended San Francisco public schools and spent his free time with the student section of the California Academy of Sciences. The experiences at the Academy shaped his scholastic and professional careers. Marshall graduated with a BA degree from the University of California, Berkeley, received an MA degree from the University of California, Riverside, and culminated his education with a PhD degree in geology from the University of Maryland. Prior to retirement, he was elected a Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences.
Marshall joined the California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources in 1972, beginning a nearly continuous career in geothermal energy. Three years later, with the advent of geothermal operations on federal lands, he joined the US Geological Survey (USGS) in Menlo Park, CA and participated in the evaluation of federal lands for leasing and in the regulation of geothermal leases on federal lands.
In October 1977, shortly after the establishment of the US Department of Energy (DOE), Marshall was recruited to Washington, DC as the USGS liaison to the DOE Geothermal Program. On his return to the USGS in Menlo Park in 1979, Marshall led the Survey’s assessment of US low-temperature geothermal resources. He then transferred from the Survey back to the DOE Geothermal Program in Washington, DC in 1984.
His involvement in DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources Division had a major impact on the Department’s research to gain a better understanding of geothermal resources. He developed and led DOE’s research programs on geothermal exploration and reservoir engineering. He fostered a very close working relationship between industry experts and researchers in the national laboratories and universities, and was credited by them for his considerable understanding, assistance and guidance in the scientific and engineering problems they were trying to solve. His main concern was helping to solve actual field problems, and to that end he conducted workshops and maintained regular contact with industry representatives to assess their needs and priorities, and used this information to guide his research programs. The projects funded under his programs were highly successful in leading to a much greater fundamental understanding of the geology, geo- chemistry and geophysics of geothermal systems, which has, in turn, led to substantial improvements in the exploration and operation of geothermal fields.
Marshall took a brief hiatus from geothermal research in joining the DOE Superconductivity Program before transferring from DOE back to the USGS in 2001. His encyclopedic knowledge of US geothermal resources was put to good use during the last phase of his career at the USGS. He was involved in the first assessment of the country’s geothermal resources since 1978. This effort culminated in the 2008 release of the USGS report “Assessment of moderate- and high-temperature geothermal resources of the United States”. Marshall retired from the Survey as an emeritus scientist in 2010, but continued assisting the USGS and DOE Geothermal Programs until recently.
Marshall joined the Editorial Board of Geothermics in 2007, and was a long-standing member of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) since his early years in geothermal energy. He was a perennial supporter not only of the GRC but also of the annual Stanford Reservoir Engineering Workshops. For his important contributions to geothermal research and to the geothermal industry, the Geothermal Resources Council awarded him the prestigious Joseph W. Aidlin Award in 2001. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and by the geothermal community. Marshall is survived by his wife of 46 years, [Mom], his two daughters, [Dude and Me]; two grandchildren, [Bean and Bud], and his only brother, Dr. Randall Reed.
In comparison, here is the obit that was published in the local newspaper back in March:
Marshall John Reed
Resident of Danville
Marshall John Reed, age 70, of Danville, CA, died on Monday March 4, 2013 at home of complications of metastatic melanoma. He was born on August 17th, 1942 in San Francisco, the oldest son of Patricia Dorothy n#233;e Wilson and Douglas Randall Reed. He attended San Francisco public schools and spent his free time with the student section of the California Academy of Sciences. Marshall's experiences at the Academy shaped his scholastic and professional careers. He graduated from Cal in 1966, and went on to graduate school at UC Riverside, culminating with a Ph. D. from University of Maryland, College Park.
Marshall married Catherine Finalyson in August of 1966. They criss-crossed the country in support of Marshall's career, spending nearly equal time in California and Virginia. Marshall spent 34 years with the Federal government in multiple roles, all focused on renewable and sustainable resource development. Marshall and Catherine returned to California in 2002, and Marshall retired from the US Geologic Survey in 2010 as an emeritus scientist. Prior to retirement, Marshall was elected a Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences.
In conjunction with his career, Marshall and Catherine spent many happy weeks hiking around the world. When their two daughters came along, they were included in the family trips to such places as Iceland and Hawaii for geologic conferences. Summers were spent hiking in the National Forests and exploring our nation's treasures.
Marshall is survived by his only brother, Dr. Randall Reed; his wife; his two daughters; and two grandchildren.
A Celebration of Marshall's life will be held on April 21st at 2pm at San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church. Donations in honor of Marshall may be made to Hospice of the East Bay or a favorite charity . No flowers, please.
Published in Contra Costa Times on Mar. 16, 2013
If you ever wanted to know who my dad was from a professional perspective:
Marshall John Reed passed away of complications from metastatic melanoma at his home in Danville, CA on March 4, 2013; he was 70 years old. Even so, he outlived all predictions from his doctors by more than eight years, a tribute to his tenacity in fighting this deadly disease.
Marshall attended San Francisco public schools and spent his free time with the student section of the California Academy of Sciences. The experiences at the Academy shaped his scholastic and professional careers. Marshall graduated with a BA degree from the University of California, Berkeley, received an MA degree from the University of California, Riverside, and culminated his education with a PhD degree in geology from the University of Maryland. Prior to retirement, he was elected a Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences.
Marshall joined the California Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources in 1972, beginning a nearly continuous career in geothermal energy. Three years later, with the advent of geothermal operations on federal lands, he joined the US Geological Survey (USGS) in Menlo Park, CA and participated in the evaluation of federal lands for leasing and in the regulation of geothermal leases on federal lands.
In October 1977, shortly after the establishment of the US Department of Energy (DOE), Marshall was recruited to Washington, DC as the USGS liaison to the DOE Geothermal Program. On his return to the USGS in Menlo Park in 1979, Marshall led the Survey’s assessment of US low-temperature geothermal resources. He then transferred from the Survey back to the DOE Geothermal Program in Washington, DC in 1984.
His involvement in DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Resources Division had a major impact on the Department’s research to gain a better understanding of geothermal resources. He developed and led DOE’s research programs on geothermal exploration and reservoir engineering. He fostered a very close working relationship between industry experts and researchers in the national laboratories and universities, and was credited by them for his considerable understanding, assistance and guidance in the scientific and engineering problems they were trying to solve. His main concern was helping to solve actual field problems, and to that end he conducted workshops and maintained regular contact with industry representatives to assess their needs and priorities, and used this information to guide his research programs. The projects funded under his programs were highly successful in leading to a much greater fundamental understanding of the geology, geo- chemistry and geophysics of geothermal systems, which has, in turn, led to substantial improvements in the exploration and operation of geothermal fields.
Marshall took a brief hiatus from geothermal research in joining the DOE Superconductivity Program before transferring from DOE back to the USGS in 2001. His encyclopedic knowledge of US geothermal resources was put to good use during the last phase of his career at the USGS. He was involved in the first assessment of the country’s geothermal resources since 1978. This effort culminated in the 2008 release of the USGS report “Assessment of moderate- and high-temperature geothermal resources of the United States”. Marshall retired from the Survey as an emeritus scientist in 2010, but continued assisting the USGS and DOE Geothermal Programs until recently.
Marshall joined the Editorial Board of Geothermics in 2007, and was a long-standing member of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) since his early years in geothermal energy. He was a perennial supporter not only of the GRC but also of the annual Stanford Reservoir Engineering Workshops. For his important contributions to geothermal research and to the geothermal industry, the Geothermal Resources Council awarded him the prestigious Joseph W. Aidlin Award in 2001. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and by the geothermal community. Marshall is survived by his wife of 46 years, [Mom], his two daughters, [Dude and Me]; two grandchildren, [Bean and Bud], and his only brother, Dr. Randall Reed.
In comparison, here is the obit that was published in the local newspaper back in March:
Marshall John Reed
Resident of Danville
Marshall John Reed, age 70, of Danville, CA, died on Monday March 4, 2013 at home of complications of metastatic melanoma. He was born on August 17th, 1942 in San Francisco, the oldest son of Patricia Dorothy n#233;e Wilson and Douglas Randall Reed. He attended San Francisco public schools and spent his free time with the student section of the California Academy of Sciences. Marshall's experiences at the Academy shaped his scholastic and professional careers. He graduated from Cal in 1966, and went on to graduate school at UC Riverside, culminating with a Ph. D. from University of Maryland, College Park.
Marshall married Catherine Finalyson in August of 1966. They criss-crossed the country in support of Marshall's career, spending nearly equal time in California and Virginia. Marshall spent 34 years with the Federal government in multiple roles, all focused on renewable and sustainable resource development. Marshall and Catherine returned to California in 2002, and Marshall retired from the US Geologic Survey in 2010 as an emeritus scientist. Prior to retirement, Marshall was elected a Fellow at the California Academy of Sciences.
In conjunction with his career, Marshall and Catherine spent many happy weeks hiking around the world. When their two daughters came along, they were included in the family trips to such places as Iceland and Hawaii for geologic conferences. Summers were spent hiking in the National Forests and exploring our nation's treasures.
Marshall is survived by his only brother, Dr. Randall Reed; his wife; his two daughters; and two grandchildren.
A Celebration of Marshall's life will be held on April 21st at 2pm at San Ramon Valley United Methodist Church. Donations in honor of Marshall may be made to Hospice of the East Bay or a favorite charity . No flowers, please.
Published in Contra Costa Times on Mar. 16, 2013