As most of you journalism (J-grads) now know, Dan Reeder, 74, former Morrisville journalism professor, died Sept. 20, 2023 from complications of lung cancer. In June, Dan and his wife, Janet, relocated from his beloved Lawrence, Kansas, to Texas, to be closer to their son, Tim.
Remarkably, Dan left an indelible “mark” on the Morrisville journalism program (J-program) in only three short years, 1973-1976. From 1976 on, Dan’s Moville impact was far-reaching as countless J-grads for the next 20 years came to know, respect and admire him when he visited Moville numerous times for journalism events, festivities and then actively participated in promoting the Journalism Department (J-Department) and its students throughout the years!
It is no exaggeration when I fondly say Dan was the brother I never had in my life, beginning during the Moville years and continuing 47 years thereafter. As for the four-some Bandlow/Reeder relationship, an endearing friendship surfaced in 1973, continuing for almost 50 years with visits to Michigan and Kansas, hundreds of phone calls, never-ending snail mail communication and eventually social media.
Maybe most essential in this message to all of you: Janet announced recently that Dan’s devotion and love for Moville’s campus and the J-program will live on forever.
So…I’m “gonna miss ya” big time Reeder. Thanks for being an integral part of mine and Carol’s lives. So…one last time: Go Kansas University (KU), Go Michigan State, and more importantly, Go SUNY Morrisville.
- Neal Bandlow, SUNY Morrisville professor and Reeder’s colleague and forever buddy.
