Leonard van Reed

Leonard Van Reed (LV) aged 89, son of N.Dean Reed and Eva Braum, was born on September 24th, and passed away on February 13, 2023. He was the youngest of 12 children. He was predeceased by both parents and 10 of his siblings.

The huge family reunions through the years were clearly highlights of his life. He loved being together, playing volleyball and horseshoes with his siblings and the many, many cousins. At 17, Leonard joined the Navy and served during the Korean war, before returning to Pittsburgh to earn a business degree at Duquesne University. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Joan Louise Krut. They were married for 66 years and had three children: Carol, Kate, and Stephen. Six grandchildren have blessed the family.

LV spent the majority of his career in the metals industry, most notably as the President of the William M. Orr Company and as the CEO of the A.B. Murray Company. During those years he mentored, challenged, and inspired his employees, and taught his children many life and leadership skills. He was an early inductee into the Young Presidents Organization and brought many lessons home from those gatherings. He was an avid golfer and sailor, church choir, singer, Pittsburgh Steelers fan and lifelong member of the Catholic Church. While he was working, Joan was volunteering at local hospitals. She organized and ran multiple volunteer services programs.

LV and Joan moved around the east coast during their marriage, finally settling in Maryland in order to be closer to and to receive help from the family. Leonard died of natural causes, having battled the major health challenges of heart surgery, Covid, and the loss of his beloved Joan in June of 2022.

None of us can keep track of how many cousins and second cousins there are on ‘the Reed side’ of the family – but he loved them all and delighted in hearing about their many adventures, misadventures, family growth, and life successes. He will be remembered for his infectious laugh, his joke-telling, his careful listening and wisdom, and his remarkable blue eyes and bushy eyebrows. Charming and gregarious, he was always a magnet for family and friends, generous with his time, and a rock for his family.

Internment for Leonard and Joan Reed will be held at the St. Frances de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Kilmarnock, Virginia. There are no details at this time.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to

Catholic Charities https://support.crs.org/donate

Gilchrist hospice https://gilchristcares.org