In Memoriam: Thomas C. Reed

A very powerful military man named Thomas C. Reed, who lived in Healdsburg for many years with his wife Kay, passed away last month at age 89. He was reportedly the first U.S. Air Force veteran to become secretary of the whole force, which happened during the Ford and Carter presidencies. Over Tom’s long and illustrious life, he reportedly also served as a close advisor to President Ronald Reagan; founded a semiconductor company; designed “thermonuclear devices” for the government; became a senior official on the National Security Council; traveled to Ukraine in the ’90s to “assist with the return of over a thousand abandoned nuclear weapons to Russian control”; wrote four books on “the history of the Cold War and its principal players, along with illuminating the possibility of nuclear terror to come”; and founded a vineyard and winery here in Healdsburg’s Alexander Valley. “He loved his country, and he loved Sonoma County,” his wife, Kay Reed, tells the Press Democrat. “This is really where he wanted to be when he left Washington.” More from Tom’s obituary: “During the seventies, Reed’s business interests turned to the land: developing the Breckenridge ski resort in Colorado and founding River Oaks Vineyards in Alexander Valley. That, in turn, led to the creation of Clos du Bois Wines in 1973. … Reed’s later-year interests were focused on education, trying to find and support the brightest and the best students, the potential innovators and leaders, in Sonoma County.” Reed leaves behind his wife, three kids and seven grandkids. His family says anyone wishing to honor his memory can make a donation to the Healdsburg Rotary Club’s scholarship fund. (Source: Legacy.com & Clements Center & Press Democrat; paywall)