In Loving Memory of Douglas Louis Reeder 5/17/1955 – 6/30/2018
Doug Reeder passed away at the age of 63 at his home in Bozeman, MT. He is survived by his wife, Ellen Coyne; his father, Rev. (Retired) Paul Reeder of Billings, MT; and younger sisters, Karen Zika of Statesville, NC, and Barbara Thomas of Minneapolis, MN. Doug was preceded in death by this mother, Mary Livonia (Mary Lou) Watson Reeder.
Doug was born in Chicago, IL, and raised in Montana. He spent his early years in Valier and Havre and graduated from C. M. Russell High School in Great Falls in 1973. Doug received his BS in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman in 1977. Doug earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). He resided in Santa Barbara from 1982 to early 2012 when he returned to Montana to settle in Bozeman.
Doug was a gifted and accomplished engineer who began his professional career with EG&G in Idaho Falls with a 2 year assignment in Pennsylvania. He then went to Santa Barbara, CA where he received his Ph.D. and worked for General Research Corporation. The final 25 years of his career were with K-Tech of Albuquerque which was acquired in 2011 by Raytheon Missile Systems.
Doug was a loyal friend to many. He was an avid reader, loved music, skiing, horses, wildlife, and nature. He was a member of the US Polo Association, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, and was a former President of Santa Barbara International Polo Center (for youth). He was also a member of both the Los Caballeros and Los Grandes Riders (both of southern CA).
The family wishes to thank the many professionals and staff of the Bozeman Health Cancer Center, Compassus Hospice, and Home Instead for their care and kind support as well as the many friends and relatives who have helped and provided emotional support.
Celebration of Life services will be held in Bozeman and Santa Barbara with details sent to loved ones in the coming weeks.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Bozeman Health Cancer Center, Patient Care Fund.
