Fred L. Reed III was Honorary Life Member #24. An author, researcher, editor, Fred was indeed a stalwart in our hobby. He was born in Syracuse, NY and attended Oklahoma State University. He joined the Coin World staff in 1975 until he left in 1981. He took over and revitalized the SPMC's Paper Money as editor from 1999 to 2013. He also was editor of the TAMS journal. Besides serving as Editor Extraordinaire, he also served the society as Secretary, and served on the board of governors from 1998-2001. The society awarded him an Award of Merit in 2000 and the Nathan Gold award in 1996. He was named to the SPMC Hall of Fame in 2015. His career spanned many genres.

He was the writer/editor in the baseball card field and served as VP with Beckett Publications. His books included Civil War Encased Stamps: The Issuers and Their Times published in 1995 as well as a book on a related topic, Civil War Stamp Envelopes: Their Issuers and Their Times. With many irons in the fire, Fred was an avid researcher on Abraham Lincoln culminating with his book Abraham Lincoln: The Image of His Greatness published in 2009 followed by Abraham Lincoln: Beyond the American Icon published in 2013. He authored Show Me the Money: The Standard Catalog of Motion Picture, TV, Stage, and Advertising Prop Money published in 2005. He was the author of a series from 1976-1977, and The Week that Was and Spare Change columns in Coin World. A very prolific writer, Fred contributed many articles to Bank Note Reporter, Coin World and Numismatic News to name a few publications.

It was indeed a shock to learn of Fred's passing. I always counted Fred as a friend and mentor. He helped me learn the ins and outs of writing a good article. I was proud to be a contributor to a couple of his books.

Mark Anderson, past President and Treasurer and current member of the BoG of the SPMC remembersFred; Fred was an unusually perfect fit for the SPMC's journal AND his role in its executive. He arrived at a time of desperate need, and righted Paper Money's seriously listing ship immediately and professionally, getting us back on schedule and fulfilling our key obligation to our members. But he didn't stop there. Over time, he increased the size ofthe magazine, took it into the age of color, and made anniversary issues true celebratory events.

Fred was a true collector, and his personal publications, about movie money and Lincoln, reflected this. He introduced and championed the SPMC Hall of Fame, and was always a creative, engaged force at the board meetingsand in the stewardship of the SPMC.

At the same time, he was intensely private, and we all wished he had a phone, but over time I came to understand how that choice worked for him, and allowed his intensely productive operating style. The arrival of his debilitating stroke could never have been untimelier. We lost an active, vibrant participant in our passion and our lives. We all owe him.

Wendell Wolka, past President (et.al.) and current member of the BoG remembers Fred; I was fortunate to count Fred Reed as a friend and mentor. He was a capable and talented editor and publisher and was instrumental in bringing the Society through a rough patch when the magazine had not been published for a rather large number of issues a number of years ago. He did all this and more without fanfare and was the consummate gentleman who believed in doing the right thing the right way every time. God bless.

Pierre Fricke also a past President and current member of the BoG as well as a currency dealer says: Fred was oneof the great researchers, historians, and leaders of our numismatic, Lincoln and other history. I had the honor of co-authoring a book with him on the History of Collecting Confederate Paper Money and his research, writings and advice was invaluable. He has made a great contribution to our hobby and our understanding of our history! I miss Fred greatly and only hope I can carry on his work in my work to the degree he would find enlightening and interesting.

Frank Clark also remembers Fred: I cannot remember when I met Fred Reed, but it was long ago in the 1980sas we both lived in Dallas and saw each other quite often at the local shows and coin clubs. We began to run into eachother at a once monthly Sunday only stamp show that was near my mother's house in the early 1990s. It was at this timethat I learned that Fred lived near my mother and in fact he lived about halfway or roughly six miles between my houseand my mom's. Later when Ibecame president of SPMC in1999, this fact proved verybeneficial as I could visit withFred either on my way to or on myway home from my mom's.

After Gene Hessler steppeddown as editor of Paper Money,SPMC lacked an effective editorand the publication of ourbimonthly journal fell greatlybehind and several memberswondered if SPMC had disbanded.

Fred volunteered to serve aseditor and I spent a lot of time overat his house helping to get theback issues of Paper Moneyout. Due to Fred, SPMC wentfrom not publishing a single issueof Paper Money for many monthsto sending a new journal every fewweeks to the membership until wewere caught up. Then, Fredstarted working on our large 40thanniversary issue of Paper Money,which had 160 pages and amassive amount of information onthe society.

Treasurer Mark Andersonwas so impressed with our hard(well mostly Fred's) work that hehad made up for each of us aspecial award consisting of amodel railroad car on a train trackattached to a base with aname plate that stated the "Backon Track Award." Fred and Iwere very moved by thisaward. Every time I look at theaward, I think about those daysand evenings getting Paper Money"back on track." SPMC owesFred a big "thank you" and "jobwell done." It is the friendshipsthat make our hobby so great.

Cole Hendrickson writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
AUTHOR FRED REED SIDELINED BY ILLNESS(https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n04a03.html)