Gervais E. Reed. Ph.D.

A loving husband and father, dedicated teacher, diligent scholar, and generous and caring friend died Wednesday, June 20, 2007, as a result of a bicycle accident in Telulah Park.

Gervais Eyer Reed, 75, was born in Greeley, Colorado, the son of Gervais F. and Leda Fye Reed. He grew up in Garden City, Kansas, where his father published the daily Garden City Telegram. Gerry’s first job was as a paper boy. He graduated from Garden City High School, and following a year at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey, enrolled at Princeton University, where he majored in European Studies. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean Conflict.

Gerry received his Ph.D. in French language and literature from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1964, when he joined the faculty of Lawrence University. He retired from Lawrence in 1996. In addition to serving as a professor of French and chairing the French department for many years, Gerry served briefly as Dean of Students. He continued to teach in the Freshman Studies program at Lawrence after his retirement.

Until recently, Gerry was creative works editor for The French Review, the journal of the American Association of Teachers of French. He continued to review books for The French Review, moving easily between contemporary French literature and his specialty in 17th-century French drama. He authored a book, Claude Barbin: Libraire de Paris sous le règne de Louis XIV, about the publisher of Molière and La Fontaine, and especially loved teaching 17th-century plays.

Gerry was an early leader of the Appleton A Better Chance program, and remained a loyal supporter of both ABC and the Alliance Française of the Fox Valley.

Gerry is survived by his wife, Mary Kay Reed, and two sons, Christopher of Evanston, Illinois, and Geoffrey of Seattle, Washington, and their partners, Christopher Castiglia and Melissa Donepp. He also leaves a sister, Joan Speer of Boulder, Colorado; a niece, Whitney Speer (Nathan Stern) of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; and a nephew, Nevil Speer (Sandra Burns), of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and many devoted cousins and friends across the United States and France.

Gerry was never faint of heart. He loved life and lived it to the fullest, sharing his joy with everyone.

A funeral will be held on Sunday, June 24 at 2:30 PM at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 724 E. South River Street in Appleton with Dr. Richard Warch presiding. Friends may call at the church on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 PM until the hour of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made to Lawrence University.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231