Dean Todd Reeder

Dean Todd Reeder, 76, passed away peacefully after a battle with cancer.

He was born on April 7, 1949, in Brigham City, Utah, to Spence and Verna Reeder. Dean often reflected fondly on his nearly idyllic childhood, shaped by life among farmers in both his immediate and extended family. This upbringing became a defining part of his identity and a lasting source of his strong work ethic. He saw himself as rooted at the crossroads of both America and the 20th century, shaped equally by place and time.

Dean was active at Box Elder High School, where he participated in theatrical productions, The Key Club, and as much golf as he could get away with! During this time, he met his lifelong sweetheart, Linda Knudson. The two later married and shared 51 years together before her passing from ALS in 2019.

He attended the University of Utah, first earning a degree in Political Science under the mentorship of the legend, J.D. Williams, and later returning to complete an Executive MBA.

Dean had a deep and enduring love of work, a value instilled in him early in life and carried through to his retirement. He approached every role with dedication and enthusiasm, building a career that took him from Wyoming to Washington, D.C. He spent much of his professional life in tourism, beginning with positions at Little America hotels—where many friends and family enjoyed his hospitality—and culminating in his role as the first National Tourism Director for the National Park Service within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Along the way, he also served as Director of the Utah Division of Travel Development. He treasured these experiences and was always ready to share stories of his travels and professional adventures.

Throughout his life, Dean embraced a variety of hobbies, though he was consistently an avid follower of current events. He never missed NPR’s Morning Edition or the PBS NewsHour. Calling during the NewsHour was strongly discouraged, and his grandchildren were often lovingly bribed into watching along—usually followed by a quiz.

Dean also had a distinctive sense of style. He wasn’t a brand follower. He was every bit as happy finding an item at Savers as he would be at Savile Row. His talent for coordinating outfits was unmatched. Wherever he is now, we are certain his glasses, watch, and Birkenstocks are perfectly color-coordinated.

In later years, Dean affectionately referred to himself as a “lovable curmudgeon—sometimes more curmudgeon than lovable.” It was a well-suited description.

Dean and Linda are survived by their two sons, J. Todd Reeder (Amy) and Jeremy Bentham Reeder (Jennifer), and their four grandchildren: Julie, Ben, Alexander, and Mimi.

Details regarding a celebration of life will be shared at a later date.