Obituary Record

Dr. Richard Edwin Reeves, 82, of Bay St. Louis, died Friday, Oct 20, 1995, in Bay St. Louis.

He was born in Lincoln Neb. Oct 28, 1912, and grew up in Farnam, a small town in central Nebraska. His father was Dr. Alfred Edwin Reeves, and his mother Jennie Maude Taylor. He was graduated from Doane College in Crete, Neb. and was admitted to the graduate program in chemistry at Yale University where he received his PhD in June 1936.

He then joined the faculty of Rockefeller Institute in New York City and in 1938 the staff of the Boyce Thompson Institute. His work there on the structure of carbo-hydrate molecule and cotton fibers led to several United States patents for improving cellulosic material. In 1941 he joined the staff of the newly-opened Southern Regional Research Laboratory of the United States Department of Agriculture in New Orleans.

He remained there until 1954 when he was invited to join the faculty of the Louisiana State University School of Medicine as a research biochemist. He continued his work there on the ameoba hystolitica. He retired in 1988 as a professor of biochemistry and tropical medicine and moved to Bay St. Louis.

In 1964 the National Institutes of Health granted him a career research award, the first professor at LSU Medical School to receive one. This award guaranteed federal financing of his salary for life. He also received major grants to support research staff and equipment from the National Institutes of Health, the Surgeon General, and the U.S. Army Armed Forced Epidemiological Board.

In 1977 he received an honorary doctor of science degree from his alma mater, Doane College. In 1982 LSU awarded him the H.M."Hub" Cotton Faculty Excellence Award for his numerous scientific contributions and continued education to the profession. The same year Louisiana State University Medical Center held the Richard E. Reeves Symposium dedicated to his work on enzymes and amoeba. Attendees came from all parts of the world.

He was an authority on carbohydrate chemistry and the amoeba. He spent many years studying amebiasis, a tropical disease prevalent in Latin America. This led him to make numerous visits to Central America, especially to the LSU sponsored programs of the International Center for Medical Research and Training in San Jose, Costa Rica. He is the author of hundreds of articles in the field of biochemistry.

Among his discoveries over the years was a crucial contribution to the World War II effort. Smokeless gunpowder deteriorated over time, so it was recognized early in the war that stabilizing gunpowder would greatly extend the effective supply of smokeless gunpowder. Dr. Reeves invented a new chemical formula that effectively cut the decay rate.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Haver Reeves; three children, William D., Judy J. and R. Michael Reeves. He has two grandchildren, Elena and Richard. He was a life-long sailor, member and Commodore of Bay-Waveland Yacht Club during 1963 and 1964.

A memorial service will be conducted Friday, Oct 27 at 2

p.m. At Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, where

friends may call one hour before service time.

Source: unknown newspaper