Eulogy for Lt Col Ed Reed, by Lt Gen Donny Wurster, USAF, ret
Delivered at Miramar National Cemetery, 3 Nov 2022

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There was a time when more Air Force 4-stars knew Ed Reed by name than any other Lt Col in the entire Air Force.  While most simulation and training focused on instrument flight and emergency procedures, at Kirtland, Ed had built a training and rehearsal system that was 15 years ahead of its time.  In his simulators, crews could terrain follow and rehearse missions in actual enemy terrain data bases, many in classified locations, with accurate terrain following radar feedback, in any desired illumination and moon aspect, against actual threat systems that were currently operating half a world away, using defensive countermeasures that were true representations of effectiveness of the Pave Low jamming systems.  

Everyone wanted to see what he had done and they all came to visit--four star after four star.  Following his remarkable tours and explanations of this exceptional capability, as the distinguished visitor was about to leave for their next destination…but was not yet out of earshot…he would play this famous quote from Las Vegas.  ”Elvis has left the building!”…always drawing a smile from the departing distinguished visitor.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, Ed went to work at Lockheed Martin where he led his team to capture several very high dollar contracts.  No surprise to me.

So, rest in peace Ed.  

My final comment is a quote from him: “Elvis has left the building!”


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Eulogy for Lt Col Ed Reed, by Lt Gen Donny Wurster, USAF, ret
Delivered at Miramar National Cemetery, 3 Nov 2022


He is the most remarkable man I have ever met.  He learned the rules, pushed to the edge of allowable conduct, and drove success in whatever he was working.  Despite being three years my junior, he had the largest impact on how I approached the rest of my career.  He showed me that one man can change the Air Force and I never forgot it.  The skills I learned from Ed were central to our planned, and now successful, recapitalization of the entire AFSOC aircraft inventory, a 40 year update.  When the already-on-contract MC-130Js deliver and the Combat Talon 2s retire, the oldest aircraft in AFSOC will be a 2005 model U-28…all of this success is directly connected to Ed’s influence on me.

As time went on, he went to the Pentagon and drove the MH-53J modification line at high speed with Secretary of the Air Force priority.  I moved to catch the first MH-60G coming out of the production line and we quickly brought that helicopter into operational readiness.  Soon thereafter, he said that he needed me to replace him in the Pentagon since I knew what alterations the MH-60G program needed after flying it for two years.  I protested that I wanted to stay and fly, to which he responded: “I’ve got my gun, I am going to the mall.”  Classic Ed.  So I moved to replace him and he went to Kirtland Air Force Base to work our training systems.  Frequently, I would send him money that he had buried in coffee cans around the Pentagon to build the state-of-the-art training and rehearsal systems he had envisioned.

(Continued)

(Continued)
Eulogy for Lt Col Ed Reed, by Lt Gen Donny Wurster, USAF, ret
Delivered at Miramar National Cemetery, 3 Nov 2022

During his many years flying H-53s at McClellan and Hurlburt Field, he participated in classified operations in the US and Central America.  He flew the lead ship for a classified exercise called Roughen Wood, which proved the MH-53 aircraft, crews, and maintenance were equal to their tasking to support our nation’s most elite combat forces.  He also was a key pilot participant in the recovery of over 900 dead Americans who were massacred at the hands of the Jonestown cult in Guyana.

We next overlapped at the headquarters of Military Airlift Command, two of very, very, very, few helicopter pilots assigned there in the airlift world.  He was working helicopter modifications and I was working helicopter procurement in adjoining cubicles.  We formed a tight bond based on common vision and we accepted significant risk to upgrade the MH-53s and to procure the MH-60 helicopters.  He was remarkable in that he knew what could be done, and how to make it happen.  Initiative 17, the ill-advised (and Congressionally doomed) decision by the Chief’s of Staff of the Army and Air Force to transfer special operations rotary wing support from the Air Force to the Army was the issue of the day.  Our four star passed word through our two star that he wanted to overturn Initiative 17 and it was Ed’s job to do it.  When Ed asked, “Why me?” he was told, “Because you are expendable.”  History would show that the Initiative was not implemented for 20 years when the Pave Lows finally retired and were replaced by the tilt-rotor CV-22s.   Good work Ed!


Eulogy for Lt Col Ed Reed, by Lt Gen Donny Wurster, USAF, ret
Delivered at Miramar National Cemetery, 3 Nov 2022

Thank you for coming here today as we reflect on the life of a great American.  Lt Col Ed Reed.  I am in uniform today out of respect for this great Air Commando and dear friend.

I first met Ed when he came to Kirtland Air Force Base to participate in the first Combat Advance Tactics Class.  His job at the time was as the tactics officer for the 1 SOW.  Many of us instructors there were leading seminars on tactics and lessons learned for this first trial class.  As the week came to close, the program lead invited Captain Ed to offer his comments.  Ed casually walked to the center of the stage and made this comment which I will never forget.  “An advanced tactics course is a great idea but the crews need to learn basic tactics first.”  And then he very casually and off-the-cuff rattled off the details of several threat missile systems that clearly showed that he knew more than anybody in the room.  I thought, “This guy knows his stuff.”

As a person, he was remarkable.  How many of us have called his number to be greeted by “REED!!”  as if his speaking to whoever called was like being forced to have brine in his mouth.  I am so glad that he met Joan 11 years ago, she came with high marks as a firefighter, as Ed had served as a volunteer firefighter in his earlier years.  The years they have enjoyed each other’s company gave many of us great joy to observe.  Joan has cared for Ed through the difficult time of his disease and we are all grateful.  Thank you, Joan.  

As a single Dad in the special operations flying business, Ed made the choice to adjust his career so he could be the most effective Dad to his son Jay.  Jay, I will tell you that when you decided to change your name to Reed, it was one of the proudest moments of his life.  Not one to share his feelings much, he told me about that effort in glowing terms.  

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When Ed was at Kirkland AFB and brought on the MH-60G, I had the honor to get to work for him.  He was an amazing visionary for the simulation industry and our great nation.  His leadership on the Training Observation Center Program brought incredible capabilities to the AF.  We have so many wonderful memories of Ed and he will be in our hearts always.

My sincerest sympathies to Jay and Joan and all of Ed’s myriad admirers.  I was honored to have flown with Ed and been closely associated with him since Operation Honey Badger in 1980.  From his pioneering flying, leadership, dauntless courage, peerless innovation and matchless problem solving talents and skills, his fingerprints are all over today’s US Special Operations and Combat Rescue forces and capabilities.  Regardless of the exigencies of the events of the moment and situation- through  good times and bad- I always relished Ed’s company, wit, wisdom and powerful intellect.  This Nation, the Air Force and US Special Operations owe Ed an eternal debt of gratitude.  He is one of a kind that comes along rarely, and I know he was joyously greeted by family and brothers who were awaiting his arrival.  Until we meet again…PAVELOW Leads!  Gary Weikel, Colonel, USAF (Ret)

How do you even begin to talk about the passing of a warrior like Ed Reed. 

Ed was an inspiration, an visionary and a leader for those things which were dreams that would become reality with his leadership.

You knew you had crossed a line when he would tuck his chin towards his chest, look at you through hie upturned eyes and say "Really?".    But his way of teaching how to undo your error was one of the best I have seen, and his ability to work with others was amazing.  

From the time we first met in his dingy office next to the old gym at Kirtland to the time when we worked together on the foundations of the largest training contract Lockheed was to ever have at the time, he was consistent and strong in his conviction that our mission we to bring people home to their families through better training.

Sleep well warrior, you have lived a long and fruitful life.

Ed was leading the first program I worked when I joined Lockheed Martin back in 2004. I remember him being called “Hurricane Ed” when I started and being concerned about what kind of person I would be working for.  Ed was a truly amazing character, always had a story to tell and knowledge to impart his peers. He was a visionary and supported ideas of his colleagues - always pushing boundaries and seeking innovative solutions to solve training needs of our customers. 

He was a powerful ally to have and helped pave the way for me to get into the engineering leadership development program. He was a force to be reckoned with, a great leader and mentor – the world is less bright without this colorful person in it. Rest in Peace.


Ed was our neighbor in Marblehead. Over the years we would talk on the street and share bits of our lives and words of wisdom. We did not know Ed extensively, but knew for sure that he was kind, funny and caring. Hearing a little bit about his life’s  work experience also made it clear that he was a brilliant and  interesting person. We will miss our wonderful neighbor.

We will greatly miss Ed and Joan stopping by our house for a visit. 
Ed, with that quiet smile of his, always engaged in interesting and positive conversation. We will truly miss this wonderful man. God bless and Rest In Peace, dear friend.  TC and Janet 

I worked with Ed for a number of years and can unequivocally state he was "one of a kind".  He took every opportunity to fully understand the complicated world in which we worked and provide teachable moments throughout that journey.  Even though we supported different areas of the business, Ed always provided valuable insight that was leverageable across the entire enterprise; and he did this while making sure all had some fun and a good laugh.

My deepest condolences to Ed's family - he was a rare one and moved on too soon.

I have enjoyed reading all of the memories of Ed’s colleagues, family, and friends, what an accomplished man! I am Joan’s brother, and have fond memories of Ed’s hospitality, when we visited Florida. We flew in late one such visit, and Ed not only picked us up at the airport, but, invited us to stay at his beautiful home, he was the perfect host! He and Joan were wonderful companions, and my heart goes out to Joan, his friends and colleagues, God bless! 

Ed Reed was my squadron commander for a year while at Kirtland AFB, NM at the 551 SOS then the 58TRSS.  ANYONE, absolutely ANYONE who had anything to do in flying, maintaining or supporting the MH-53H/J/M PAVELOW mission did so at the honor and forward thinking of Ed Reed.  His mind was ahead of our time with aircraft suitable for SOF and simulation/emulation tools that are todays seminal training platform modifiers....his dedication to the MH-60 and CV-22 program was cornerstone.  Rest in peace Ed, knowing you continually leave behind those of us that carry your torch into the future.
Ken Sipperly

In the early days of the Pave Low being transferred to the 20th SOS, after the eight month long training exercises called "Honey Badger", Ed worked for me in the Tactics section of the 20th SOS. At the time the H-53 did not have a particularly good reputation for reliability due to the events that occurred in the Iranian desert in 1980. Ed had the vision to know that the Pave was an ideal Special Operations vehicle and set about brainstorming a way to exhibit it's unique capabilities. He conceived and planned an exercise called "Roughen Wood" where the Paves would simulate rescuing "hostages" from the Survival School  in Washington state. After a tough sell to the squadron commander the plan was executed almost flawlessly and received very favorable review at the pentagon. Ed had the foresight to have the whole event recorded by the AC-130 gunship squadron, so there was irrefutable corroboration about the success of the mission. This forward thinking tactician, on a subsequent assignment at the pentagon, was primarily responsible for the expansion of the Pave Low fleet and many of the state of the art upgrades to the aging MH-53s. The long and noteworthy accomplishments of the Pave Low aircraft, it's crews and it's maintainers would never have happened if not for Ed Reed.  God speed my friend.

I will miss you Sir….. Ed was a major mentor in my career, and as it turn out in life.  As many Ed Reed associates can recall, his direction to me was “Gerb…. Get it done.  Get it done right. And… get it done right now!”  That set me a successful run in the USAF…… and his words boosted me thru life as well……

It’s with a smile and a tear…..  “Elvis has left the building”.  God speed Ed, May your family be blessed by your memories.



Gone too soon. The men who flew the MH-53J Pave Low and the men and women who flew and continue to fly the MH/HH-60G Pave Hawk salute your tireless efforts to develop, fund, and field these incredible aircraft for 3+ decades.  A living legacy. Thank You.
Paul Harmon 

My Dad was was a complicated man.
He couldn’t throw a ball, any ball.
He didn’t play sports with me like the other Dad’s.
He was a recluse and private and proud.
He was the hardest working person I have ever met.
He taught me lesson as a child that I carry with me today.
When I was 8, I was caught stealing legos from a toy store in Ft. Walton. 
He didn’t spank me.
Instead he sat me down and said simply and matter of factly,
“Jay. There are two types of people in this world, leaders and followers. We are leaders. Do not do something just because your buddy tells you to. Think for yourself.”
He went on. “We are Reeds. We do not lie, cheat, or steal. Nor do we tolerate those that do.”
This stuck with me. This became my a mantra in my formative years.
He was gruff, cantankerous, and grumpy at times. For those that knew him best, it was because he was an introvert playing an extrovert.
He was a loyalist and took care of his own. Always. “Jay. If they follow you, they trust you. Don’t let them down. Trust is hard to earn back.”
Dad, you gave me something better than some families offer.
You gave an example of  honor, integrity, and a sense of fairness.
You gave me a legacy to pass on.
Thank you.
I love you.
Jay
By the way, he always insisted on being the bank in monopoly. “So I never run out of money.” Me at 12, “But Dad. Thats cheating.”
Dad, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Haha
Like I said, he was complicated.

Ed was a friend, mentor, and leader to so many, I'm just proud to be counted among them.  I met him on one of my first days at Lockheed Martin.  As an Air Force retiree myself, Ed was a great help as I transitioned to industry.  My life lesson from Ed -- never tell someone that something can't be done.  For Ed, "impossible" just made the mission more interesting.  Blue Skies, my friend...

I think everyone who knew Ed has an 'Ed story;' here's mine. A few years after joining Lockheed I was named the training lead for a recently won contract to provide flight training services to a major Pacific Air Force. It was a huge contract with lots of accompanying visibility. One day, Ed called me into his office and slid a letter over his desk without comment for me to read. It was from our main customer POC written directly to our Vice President basically accusing me of incompetence and putting the whole contract at risk. My blood ran cold, and I remember consoling myself that I might still be able to get into that manager training program at Home Depot.  After asking for my side of the story, Ed calmly told me to get 2 tickets and we would fly over to talk with the customer face-to-face.  Long story short, and almost unbelievably, a few months after our meeting the customer removed the officer who wrote the letter about me, and I stayed on the program to completion. I've been with LM about 20 years now. The easiest thing for Ed to have done when he received that letter would have been to tell the customer that I was fired and that they would replace me with someone who would address the problems they believed I created. But that wasn't Ed. If he was on your side, you could have no better advocate. He was force of nature, and I'll miss him.

Ed was a father to me. I was fortunate to have him in my life for about 22 years. He was in my life, always caring about me, helping me, listening to me, and sharing life moments. It was such a privilege for me to be his daughter, and I am genuinely thankful to have had him in my life. I will take his teachings and his values with me forever. I love you, dad.

To Ed’s family and friends, my heartfelt grief and now relief from Ed’s suffering goes out to you. Though Ed’s chapter in life has come to a close, his legacy is carried forward in all he graced with his wide-ranging wisdom, professional philosophies, relentless resolve, and his fatherly friendships. 

In life, Ed embodied the quiet dedicated professional in his doings while in open acting boldly, decisively, and demandingly. Ed often struck fear and trepidation in those presenting obstacles, yet no solutions. For those of us striving to do good and the “right” things for team, country, and family, he silently worked out of sight moving those obstacles out of the way allowing us to achieve success. A philosophy to success; “The right thing to do, is the right thing to do, because it is the right thing to do.” 

A great friend and mentor to me, Ed acted unselfishly guiding and helping me, and others, throughout the years in our military and professional careers, in inventing new ways of providing service to country, and in caring for and honoring family…often quietly, off-stage behind the theater of life others were fixated upon.

Ed taught me many things. Chief among them…Family first…while making miracles happen for others, be bold in vision and convictions, and when concerning achieving goals in your team and family…”It’s not about you. It’s about them.” Gifts of philosophy in life Ed bestowed upon me in our friendship that I embrace and embody in my daily doings.

From that fall day in 1989 when I, junior Air Force Captain, first met…collided with the then Lt. Col Selectee Ed Reed informing him his tellings to a contractor group was not technically completely accurate…with Ed then, without self-ego impeding thought or action, identifying me to the Air Force and contractor teams as the subject matter expert in the field, to this moment at the close of Ed’s chapter, my beloved friend will be missed, but not forgotten in this life as long as I live.
Brett Vonsik

OBITUARY

Edward Thomas Reed

April 21, 1953 – October 5, 2022

Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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