Dennis James Reeder

Dennis James Reeder, 83, was born on April 13, 1939, in Ames, Iowa and passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, in Frisco, Texas. He was born to Wendell and Lorna (Seamons) Reeder. Both of Dennis’s parents had pioneer ancestors. Dennis was the second child born of four siblings: Grant, Dennis, Carol, and Susan. Each sibling was born in different states, and each were five years apart. His family moved to Dallas, Texas the summer after he attended first grade. Dennis loved BB guns and firecrackers and he and his brother Grant used to get in trouble with those all the time. In seventh grade, Dennis got a paper route to earn some money. Over time, he built up the route from 94 customers to 137 and in doing so, he won several prizes, including a watch. He had his picture in the paper and became the favorite paper boy of the route manager. In ninth grade, Dennis got a job at Beef ‘N Bun, a barbecue restaurant, where he worked for many years. He was always studious and worked very hard. His nickname throughout grade school and high school was Denny. Dennis graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1957, he was planning on attending his high school’s 65th Reunion in September of 2022. Dennis graduated from Brigham Young University in 1964 with Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics. In 1966, he received his master’s degree in microbiology and biochemistry also from BYU. He completed his PhD in immunology and biochemistry in 1969 from the University of North Texas and did postdoctoral research in immunochemical methods at Rutgers University before leading the Department of Immunology at Whitaker Bioproducts in Bethesda, Maryland, from 1971 to 1975. Dennis was a pioneer in the field of DNA research and analytics, was passionate about his work, and his influential research and publications have been recognized internationally. He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed travelling the world, and going on fun adventures. Dennis was employed as a research chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, from 1975 to 2000 where he and his colleagues pioneered protein purification and separation methods and early DNA testing procedures. He served for many years as leader of the NIST DNA Technologies Group within the Biotechnology Division of the Chemical Sciences and Technology Laboratory. His efforts and leadership led to the first forensic DNA Standard Reference Material (NIST SRM 2390) and to interlaboratory testing that made the U.S. national DNA database possible. He championed quality assurance in the forensic DNA community as an early member of the FBI’s Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (TWGDAM). With his postdoctoral research associate John Butler, Dennis launched the NIST STRBase website (https://strbase.nist.gov/) in 1997 to provide important information on genetic markers used for human identity testing. From 1995 to 2000, Dennis served on the FBI’s DNA Advisory Board that issued the first Quality Assurance Standards, which still govern forensic DNA testing in the United States. After retiring from NIST, Dennis led DNA research and product development efforts at Applied Biosystems Incorporated in Foster City, California from 2000 to 2005 where his group developed several important methods and products for DNA testing performed worldwide. He continued to advocate for quality methods in the forensic DNA community via Reeder Analytical Consulting, LLC once he moved to Texas in 2005. He authored over 50 scientific publications and contributed to numerous government reports. In addition, Dennis was President of the Electrophoresis Society from 1986 to 1988. Awards received throughout his distinguished career include the Silver and Bronze Medals from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Edward Bennett Rosa Award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. In 1993, Standard Reference Material 2390 “DNA Profiling Standard” received an R&D 100 Award where Dennis was honored as a co-developer (see https://www.rdworldonline.com/rd-100-archive/?YEAR=1993). A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dennis served as the first bishop of the Montgomery Village Ward in the Seneca Maryland Stake and in numerous other ward and stake assignments including seminary and primary teacher, stake high councilor, and stake executive secretary. He had a positive influence on many people throughout his life. Dennis loved traveling on family vacations, business trips or traveling with his wife Bulbin. He taught all his kids how to fish and loved taking them on fishing trips. He would fossil collect and had several shark teeth and trilobites. He had a great passion for gardening and that included growing an impressive collection of cacti. He had a variety of hobbies and talents over the years including painting, etching, playing clarinet in school for many years. He took woodworking class in high school, and he built his own furniture in his bedroom, including a chest of drawers. He had a love of Big Band, Jazz, Progressive Rock, and Classical music. Dennis was a beloved husband, father, and friend and will be greatly missed by many. He was preceded in death by father, Wendell Reeder, mother, Lorna Seamons Reeder Julander and brother, Wendell Grant Reeder. Dennis is survived by wife Bulbin Sunar Reeder; children, Lori Larson (Eric), Doug Reeder (Laura), Paul Reeder (Denise), Mark Reeder (Kirsten), Sara Rose (Andrew); sisters, Carol Valberg (John), Susan Berryessa (Richard); 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

Dennis James Reeder

April 13, 1939 - August 2, 2022