Oliver Howard Reeder ’39

Ollie died of pneumonia Aug. 17, 2006, at his home in Towson, Md.

A chemistry major and member of Phi Beta Kappa at Princeton, he returned home after college to work in the Baltimore Copper Paint Co., which his grandfather founded in 1870. Thrust into the war effort between 1941 and 1945, the company manufactured vessel coatings for the U.S. Maritime Commission, the Navy, and the British Admiralty. As president of the company, Ollie worked there until his retirement in 1976.

A trustee of Johns Hopkins Hospital for 30 years, he also served on the boards of countless institutions. For many years he served on the Princeton Schools Committee.

Ollie was a skilled sailor and “absolutely passionate about the sea,” his daughter said. He spent many vacations on the water with his wife, Nancy, whom he married in 1942. He sailed or raced in countries from Norway to Bermuda, often competing against the king of Norway. Another passion was beekeeping. The honey from his hives won many awards at the Maryland State Fair.

He is survived by Nancy; their daughters Nancy and Ellen; and granddaughter Leyla. We offer them our sincere sympathy.