Fredric D. (Fritz) Reed

Fredric D. (Fritz) Reed

Mesquite, Nevada—Fredric D. (Fritz) Reed, age 88, passed away on February 15, 2026, in Mesquite, Nevada. He was born March 18, 1937 in Valley View, Pennsylvania, to the late Palmer H. Reed and Mildred T. Reed.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Barbara Yurick Reed, of Mesquite, Nevada, and 2 brothers, Palmer Reed Jr. and Bruce Reed, both of Pennsylvania. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Blake, and her husband Dr. Jonathan Blake of Cheshire, Connecticut; son David Reed and his wife Lisa Reed of Lake Oswego, Oregon; 2 granddaughters, Makenzie Reed and Emma Blake; and fellow church member, Crystal Camara, with whom he shared many fond memories in his final 3 years.

Fritz graduated from the former Hegins Township High School. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of American and was a member of the 1955 Pennsylvania State Junior American Legion Baseball Championship team. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1959 and an M.B.A in 1961.

After a ten-year career in the railroad industry with the Birmingham Southern Railroad (U.S. Steel), Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and Chicago Rock Island Railroad (in finance, budgeting, and cost control and analysis), he joined the Pacific Power & Light Company in Portland, Oregon, as Assistant to Vice President & Controller in 1969.

His career with Pacific Power & Light Company (later PacifiCorp) spanned 23 years. In 1970 he was appointed Director Economic Analysis & Budgets, in 1974 he was elected Controller, in 1981 Vice President, and in 1986 Senior Vice President. He retired on December 31, 1992 as Senior Vice President of PacifiCorp and Executive Vice President of Utah Power & Light.

During the late 1980s, Mr. Reed was actively engaged in forming a merger with Utah Power & Light Company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, directing the approval process before 6 state Public Utility Commissions as well as the Federal Energy Commission. He also co-chaired the reorganization of the merged company. Upon completion of the merger in 1989, he relocated to Salt Lake City as Executive Vice President Finance & Administration for Utah Power.

Mr. Reed was actively engaged in community activities throughout his business career, particularly in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where he coached YBA basketball, Little Guy Football, and Little League Baseball. He also served as President of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and the Blue Heron Homeowners Association, among other board activities. He was a member of the Oswego Lake Country Club. He also recorded 4 hole-in-ones during his golfing career.

In Salt Lake City, Mr. Reed served as Chairman of the 1990 Greater Salt Lake Area United Way campaign and served on the Ballet West Board of Directors for 18 years, 3 years as Chair. He also served on the boards of Utah Manufacturers Association, Utah Foundation, YMCA, United Way, and Zion Lutheran Church, and he served on the Board and as President of the Governors Plaza Homeowners Association.

In Mesquite, he was actively involved as a volunteer in the Mesquite Lutheran Child Care Program at the Mesquite Lutheran Church, where he had been a member since 2007.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mesquite Lutheran Child Care Program at Mesquite Lutheran Church, 450 Turtleback Road, Mesquite, Nevada 89027.

We invite family and friends to leave condolences or memories at www.starmortuary.com.

See, I told you I was sick!

All things considered, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.

He didn’t sweat much for a fat guy.