Reid Michael Hewlitt

Born in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on April 2, 1971, Reid grew up exploring the world through both logic and wonder, a balance that would define his life. Reid attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School and graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1989. He went on to graduate with honors from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and later earned a Master of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Reid built a career powered by innovation, intellect, and integrity. Over the course of three decades, he made significant contributions to the companies and organizations he was a part of, including Texas Instruments, Cirrus Logic, Teradyne, Ketra, and Silicon Labs, where his leadership and technical mastery left a lasting mark. His early career enabled him to travel to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and across North America. A highlight was his time spent living and working in Italy with his team from Texas Instruments. Throughout his career in electrical engineering he found immense joy in his many colleagues that became lifelong friends.

Primarily focused on digital and analog integrated circuit Product and Test Engineering, Reid was widely respected in the engineering community for his work in High Speed Digital Test Architectures and Semiconductor Test Methodology, with numerous published papers that continue to be referenced and built upon today. His professional legacy reflects a rare blend of precision and imagination - proof that engineering, at its highest level, is its own form of art.

Those who knew Reid best would say his true passion was not found in circuits or code, but in the way he saw and shaped the world. He was an artist with a love for all mediums, a newfound metalworker with a craftsman’s patience, a mountain biker always chasing the horizon while dodging dogs on the trail, and a lover of sunsets who knew when to pause and take it all in. He was at his best in the outdoors and loved every camping trip, hike, and kayaking outing-always returning home with a new rock for his collection. Music was ever-present and at the heart of it all for Reid, as he loved big live shows and festivals as well as intimate venues with favorite artists. He was always seeking the next amazing song to share with Cicily. His interests were varied and many, and his love of learning never ended.

Reid’s greatest joy in life arrived in 2006, his daughter, Cicily Bea Hewlitt, whose laughter, light, intelligence, and creativity reflects his own in the most beautiful ways. She is currently a 2nd year student majoring in architecture at The University of Kansas. He met his wife Susan (Sue to Reid) at Iowa State University, when they were both seniors in college. Their first date was on October 1, 1993 to a hockey game and to get Thai food in Ames. From that day forward, they went on to enjoy a lot more Thai food and share 27 years of marriage and adventure, a partnership that was full of laughter, growth, love, and the pursuit of a life well lived. Together, Sue and Cicily will love him for eternity and will deeply miss his smile, gentle voice, kind and loving nature, tight hugs, genuine love of humor and so much more.

Memories with Reid will be cherished by his wife, Susan Caruso Hewlitt; his daughter, Cicily Bea Hewlitt; his parents, Doris and Robert Hewlitt, Sr.; his sisters, Rachel Hewlitt and Rebecca (Sherman) Zieman; his nephews, Zander and Zayden Zieman; his brother-in-law, Stephen P. Caruso; his in-laws, Laura and Stephen S. Caruso; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Reid is also survived by his many lifelong friends and his more recently made friends whom he loved dearly and in return they loved him unconditionally; including his bestie, Martin L. Hewlitt.

Reid was preceded in death by his only brother, Robert William Hewlitt, Jr., and by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his mother in law, Janice S. Caruso.

A private celebration of life will be held in December at Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas, where those who loved him most will gather to reflect on his life. In lieu of flowers, friends and loved ones are invited to consider a gift to The Art School at Laguna Gloria (The Contemporary Austin) https://thecontemporaryaustin.org/artschool/; SIMS Foundation https://simsfoundation.org/ or an Arts organization of their choice.