Reed Hart Jr., 87

Reed G. Hart Jr., 87, Egan, SD, died July, 14, 2014 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Reed was born to Reed Sr. and Marie (Johannsen) Hart on August 4, 1926, in Pipestone, MN.  He grew up in Pipestone and graduated from high school in 1944.  While in high school he was a star halfback on the great Pipestone Arrows football team of 1943.  After graduation he entered the US Army and served until the conclusion of World War II.

Reed entered the University of Minnesota in 1947 and earned his letter sweater as a member of the Gopher freshman football team.  Due to a career-ending injury, he was unable to continue playing football for the University.

During the Korean conflict Reed was again called to duty in the US Army and served until the end of the conflict.  Upon discharge from the military he returned to his studies at the University and graduated with a B.S. Degree in 1955.

Upon graduation from college Reed made the decision he didn’t want to work in one place for his entire career.  He became a craftsman who worked on government contracts around the world.  His foreign travels took him to Greenland, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, and finally to Riyad, Saudi Arabia.  Domestic assignments took him to Washington, D.C., San Diego, and New Orleans, among many others.

Although he enjoyed seeing the world, he always enjoyed returning to the family lake home at Lake Shetek, MN.  His visit was always in the fall so he could see the beautiful colors of  his home state.

While employed in the Marshall Islands and Saudi Arabia he was able to develop what came to be his life’s passion…jogging.  He developed very successful jogging leagues in both areas and in the process began to meet fellow runners who would become wonderful friends.

Upon retirement, Reed returned to Pipestone to be near his parents and enjoy the wonderful times at Lake Shetek.  He later decided he wanted to have a home of his own that would still be near his family, so he purchased his home in Egan.  He enjoyed remodeling the home, and his skills as a craftsman came in handy.

 Not one to sit idly by in retirement, he again pursued his love of jogging and formed the All-Star Jogging League.  He convinced runners in several communities in southwestern Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota to participate.  At its peak, the league had nearly 150 joggers.  Due to Reed’s failing health in the past few years, the league disbanded; however, he continued to hear from the joggers and how their times were improving.

 While many knew of his jogging successes, many also knew him as a kind, gentle soul who always saw the good in people.  A close friend recently described Reed as humble, compassionate, deliberate, quiet, and unique.  Those who knew him would truly agree.

 Reed was preceded in death by his parents, Reed and Marie.  He is survived by several cousins and one especially close cousin, who was raised in Pipestone by Reed and Marie, Doug (Jan) Hart, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

A graveside celebration of Reed’s life will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 22, 2014 at Old Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone, MN.