Milton Day Reed

Milton Day Reed Obituary
February 5, 1938-July 7, 2015

“I would admonish anyone reading this that if you have any vices that you enjoy, keep them and take them to your grave with you. It is about the journey. The destination will be the same no matter what. I try to eat bacon often, drink at least one bottle of red wine each day and smoke a pack of cigarettes. And…love the hell out of my Bonnie.”
Milton Day Reed spent the last morning of his life as he usually did, enjoying the splendid view of the Saluda, North Carolina woods at his home with his loving wife, Bonnie Jean Reed. Milt is also survived by a son, Robert Reed, a daughter, Jennifer Ulrich, four grandchildren, two step-daughters, three brothers and several more grandchildren and great-grand children adopted in-love, all who will greatly miss him.
Milt was born in Muskegon Michigan on February 5, 1938 to Milford Day and Christine Bethea Reed. He was the second of six children who enjoyed a childhood of adventures around Lake Michigan that bloomed from reduced circumstances, an active imagination, and plenty of siblings, family and neighbors.
While serving as class president, president of student council and president of National Honor Society, Milt graduated Muskegon High School in 1956. His senior year he was captain of the football team, and was elected king of the homecoming.
In 1960 Milt was awarded a B.S. in metallurgy from MIT where he attended on academic scholarship and maintained Dean’s list each semester. While working as an instructor of metallurgy at MIT, he also earned his Master’s Degree in 1962.
Milt married Jeanne Giaimo of Kittery Point, Maine while still in graduate school. They were married from 1961-1997 and raised two children together. In 1999 Milt re-connected with his high-school girlfriend, Janet Curow. They were married and had ten good years together before she passed away from cancer in 2009.
In Bonnie Jean Etienne, Milt found a loving woman to share his passions for camping, fishing and adventures. They were married in 2011.
Over the years, Milt enjoyed employment with several companies, both in engineering and management. He especially enjoyed working in the aerospace, nuclear and orthopedics industries. He retired from the Zimmer division of Bristol Myers in 1993. In 1994 Milton established MD Reed and Associates, Metallurgical Consultants as owner, president and principal engineer until his retirement in 2010. Milt became an internationally recognized expert in the field of investment casting.
Milt lived his life as a lover of nature, the outdoors, fishing and camping. He was a man of amazing intellect and sharp wit. He will be remembered in a story that grows larger with each telling, a joke that has you chuckling the next day, and a peaceful time in nature. Milt will be missed by many, but will never be forgotten.
Jackson Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.