Robert Tilden Reid

February 20, 1931 – August 25, 2025

Robert T. Reid MD passed away peacefully on August 25th surrounded by his family.

He was born in Dallas Texas, on February 20th 1931, the youngest of three siblings, to Gladys King Reid and Robert Tilden Reid. He was married to his wife of 34 years, Annette Young Reid, and is survived by his four children Robert Tilden Reid III, Richard Thomas Reid, Annette Marie Reid, Randolph Young Reid and four grandchildren.

Being a family of modest means, the highlight of his youth was his participation in the Boy Scouts where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow. He often remarked that these were two of the proudest accomplishments of his life.

He graduated from North Dallas High School and joined the Air Force as a clerk-typist. This mildly annoyed his mother as he would often fly home on weekends with his dirty laundry. Following his enlistment, he enrolled at Southern Methodist University, where he met his future wife, Annette. Following his graduation from SMU, he enrolled at Southwest Texas Medical School to pursue his medical degree, a decision that would shape the rest of his life. Following his post-degree residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, he moved his family to San Diego in 1963 to pursue a fellowship in immunology at Scripps Clinic under the direction or Dr. Richard Farr. There he worked as a physician scientist, publishing many papers in the emerging field of the immunology of allergic reactions.

In 1970, he left Scripps Clinic, and found his true calling as a private practice physician. He always referred to himself as “Just an old-time country doctor.” With his easy charm and wonderful bedside manner, his patients adored him, often waiting an hour or more past their appointment time to see him. At a time when the practice of medicine was rapidly changing, he still put his patients first. He would make house calls anytime of the day or night, always ran to the hospital any time a patient of his was admitted regardless of the reason, and all his patients had his personal phone number. He also earned the admiration and respect of his colleagues having elected him Chief of Staff of Scripps Memorial Hospital, President of the San Diego County Medical Society, and Governor of the California State Medical Board.

Following his retirement from medicine, he embarked on a whole new adventure, that of the gentleman farmer. He purchased a home with acreage in Valley Center and proceeded to raise sheep, chickens and goats, along with fruit trees. He would spend hours down at his corral, simply hanging out with his animals. It was a time and place where he was truly happy. He also took up woodworking, taking classes at Palomar College and learning how to turn bowls on his lathe.

Robert Reid was a great man and lived a charmed life. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.

A memorial service for Robert will be held Friday, September 19, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at McLeod Mortuary, 1919 East Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92027.

Following the memorial service will be a committal service from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Mission San Luis Rey, 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92057.