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William B. Reed, M.D.
by John Epstein, M.D.,
Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, M.D.,
William L. Epstein, M.D.,
and Gerd Plewig, M.D.
William B. Reed died unexpectedly on June 15, 1976, shortly before his 52nd birthday at which time the world of dermatology lost one of its truly important resources.
Bill was a kind, generous, physical and intellectual giant who spent much of his enormous energy and talent to further our specialty. Though he was a superb general dermatologist, he had a special dedication to genetic diseases. Utilizing his elephantine memory, his excursions into his chosen field were legendary in proportions and productivity. But perhaps Bill's most important contribution to dermatology was his untiring search for, stimulation of and support for involved young dermatologists from all over the world.
Bill Reed was born on July 10, 1924 in Washington, D.C. of Pennsylvania-Dutch and Norwegian lineage. He obtained his undergraduate B.S. degree at Pennsylvania State University in 1948, his Doctorate of Medicine from Columbia University in 1952, an internship year at Johns Hopkins Medical Center 1952-1953 and completed his dermatology training as a fellow at the Mayo Clinic between 1953 and 1956. From there he journeyed to Burbank, California where he instituted what was to become a most remarkable practice of dermatology in a small house. Over the years, this office was to become crowded inside and out, with patients seeking not only his expert care but also his heartfelt kindness. He often transported patients long distances to get proper appliances or to see appropriate experts. He made house calls, acted as father confessor to disturbed young people with disfiguring conditions and generally provided superb dermatological care.
In addition to ministering to his legions of patients, he utilized his enormous intellect and energies in numerous academic pursuits. He was on the teaching staff at the various medical schools in the Los Angeles Area and at the time of his death, he was Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of California, Irvine. He produced over 150 contributions to the literature which have enriched the general body of dermatological knowledge. His special interests supplied us with definitive information in many important areas of our specialty including psoriasis and arthritis, ataxia telangiectasia, melanomas, xeroderma pigmentosum and, of course, the Reed syndrome.
However, perhaps Bill was best known for his tireless travels throughout the world in search of clues to unlock many of our dermatological mysteries and to contact bright, able, enthusiastic dermatologists many of whom he helped on their academic paths. From these trips he gathered data and pictures for his prodigeous writings and the production of a number of movies depicting unusual dermatologic entities. He also gained a network of friends and admirers throughout the world with whom he kept in touch regularly through the magic of the telephone, when he wasn't in physical proximity.
Bill was a corresponding or honorary member of 9 foreign dermatological societies and was close friends with leaders, students, and general practitioners of dermatology throughout the world. He was indeed an international dermatologist.
From this activity emerged Bill's true legacy to dermatology.
He left a network of friends and acquaintances, people whom he brought
together from Australia, Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, South America and
North America for the betterment of our specialty.