Michael David Reed's Obituary
A Life Beautifully Lived and Honestly Loved
Michael David Reed, aged 62, passed away on May 13, 2024 in his home in Ashburn, Virginia.
At eighteen months old, he moved into an old coach inn in England, heated by a single coke stove. He attended British pre-school and spoke with an English accent. He sailed back to the USA on the USS United States. At 4 years old, he knew where everything was located on the ship. When the ship docked in NYC, he no longer had an English accent.
From an early age, he was a truth teller. He attended school in South Carolina during forced integration, loved reading Encyclopedia Brittanica for its fascinating facts, and traveled with siblings and family via 1963 Bonneville wagon across the midwest and to skiing in Austria (from England). He returned home to the USA in time for the Bi-Centennial celebration. At fourteen, he took up clarinet to play in his high school marching band. Mike remained home in Austin alone to finish H.S. driving his Grand Am. He attended University of Texas at Austin to study Political Science and play in the Longhorn Band. He took a Corvette to the shipping port for his father. In protesting going home via bus, he declared, “The bus is for those too poor to hitchhike!” That summer, he learned golf from an English golf pro at RAF Lakenheath and it became his lifelong source of enjoyment and enthusiastic friendships.
Beginning Mar 31, 1987 he entered the USAF, sworn in by his father at Colorado Springs, CO and assignment to Officer Training School, TX and subsequent navigator training at Mather AFB, CA. He was an eligible bachelor at Cannon AFB, then to RAF Lakenheath to his first Operational assignment. He met the love of his life, Branda Viggiano, working at the Golf Shop, and the rest is history—thirty years married and two perfect children. First, a boy, Shawn Michael, then a girl, Sarah Marie. Both completed their bachelors degree, Shawn in coastal biology and Sarah in graphic design. Branda, the source of artistic talent, designed and crafted woodworks until becoming a well-known store manager who consistently led her stores in sales and production. As Steen (fighter call sign of Mike Reed) competed for promotions and opportunities, he completed two AF advanced education courses by correspondence (no time away from Operations). As a leader, he developed first class Air Force technicians whose mission was to deploy with the Army into combat to provide Air liaison and bombs on target for the fighting forces. He commanded his squadron with superb devotion to their well being as deployed troops, greeting them with a warm welcome home. He was selected a year late for full colonel and attended Joint Forces Staff College and concluded his career at HQ USAF in the Pentagon. He spoke fluent Air Force his entire life.
Mike was known for his innate ability to make everyone feel like a friend. He effortlessly connected with others with a genuine curiosity and openness. Many everyday strangers, friends, and family members were subject to his kind hearted questions and probing.
He had a particular interest in all things culinary, and spent many of his evenings cooking a new recipe while watching food shows in the background. He loved to hunt for the best barbeque in town (or hours outside of town) and easily spent hours a week researching cooking techniques. For many years, he cooked lavish Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter meals entirely on his own. Good food was his love language, which he passed down to both of his children.
In addition to his love for cooking, “Par 3 Mike,” (as he was affectionately called by his golf buddies), would never spend a weekend away from the golf course—playing in rain, sleet, or shine. He was known for being an excellent golf partner and an instant friend to everyone on the course. Mike might even list convincing his daughter to join her middle school golf team under his greatest accomplishments.
After being diagnosed in 2020, Mike endured a long battle with Colorectal Cancer, a burden that he carried with dignity, grace, and grit until his passing.
Remaining to cherish Mike’s memory are wife, Branda; children, Shawn and Sarah (Zachary); parents, Aletta and David; siblings, John (Kristi) and Kelly (Rich); several cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his beloved dog, Josie.
Mike’s family will remember him by his goofy sense of humor, his reliable pragmatism, his unconditional love, and his hiccups that shook the house.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Please check back for details.
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