Ron Reed

A TIRELESS ADVOCATE FOR SOUTH DAKOTANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

1936 • CATEGORY

EDUCATION • RESIDING

RAPID CITY, SD • NOMINATED BY

ANNA MARIE THATCHER, J.D. Ron Reed was born to an Italian American family in Hibbing, Minnesota. He loved baseball and wanted a career in broadcasting baseball games, so he took college courses in public speaking and theatre. The theatre bug bit, and he went on to receive three degrees in the field. He spent nine summers at the Black Hills Playhouse and became Chair of the University of South Dakota (USD) Theatre Department, increasing visibility of all arts throughout the state, professionalizing theatre for students, and building a new fine arts center.

On his way to a successful career in university theatre, Ron says, “the good Lord had other plans.” In 1968, Ron and his wife Marian had a daughter Kathleen–who changed their world forever. Kathy’s mental and physical challenges needed attention and special services. But, when they searched for help for Kathy, there were no such programs in South Dakota. Doctors advised that they place Kathy permanently in the Redfield State Hospital for the Disabled. Ron and Marian declared that “hospitalization” was not an option. Consequently, Kathy, now 54, has lived with her parents and thrived under their devoted care at home in ways others thought impossible. Ron and Marian’s son, Michael, joined the family in 1970. Michael, a patent attorney, and his wife Anjee live in Austin, Texas, and have two college-age children named Katarina and Austin.

While at USD, Ron learned that Purdue University was searching for a chair for their theatre department. His first concern was whether Indiana had special education programs for children with disabilities. After learning that Kathy’s special needs would be addressed, he accepted the position and they moved to Lafayette, Indiana.

In 1974, Ron received a call from Governor Richard Kneip to serve as Secretary of the

Department of Education and Cultural Affairs. Content with his job and the special education Kathy was receiving, he declined the offer. After more appeals, Ron said he would return to South Dakota only if the Governor would promise funding for special education, and that he could focus on the educational needs of all of South Dakota’s citizens, including those with challenges. With Kneip’s agreement, Ron moved his family to Pierre in 1975 to continue a lifelong advocacy on behalf of citizens who faced mental and physical challenges.

As Secretary of Education and Cultural Affairs, Ron served at a pivotal moment in the national fight for disability rights. He led the state’s implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the first disability civil rights law to be enacted in the U.S. This Act broke ground for federal funding for education for individuals with disabilities and set the stage for the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Governor Kneip described Ron as “a visionary in terms of identifying and dealing with the challenges and problems in education.” Ron’s state and national leadership helped to ensure that families had options which meant that children with disabilities could remain at home instead of being institutionalized in or out of South Dakota.

After his tenure in Pierre, Ron moved his family to Rapid City and created Reed Construction Company to build residences for people with disabilties. He served as Administrator at Black Hills Special Services (BHSS), working to design and supervise construction of their new building in Rapid City. Ron served five years as Director of DakotaLink, a federally funded program that provides assistive technology for individuals with disabilities throughout South Dakota. While at BHSS, he began ongoing relationships with Youth and Family Services and Community Health of the Black Hills – serving on their Board of Directors and helping to design and oversee construction of new facilities for both. Throughout these years, Ron was heavily involved with the Black Hills Playhouse and the Black Hills Community Theatre. He designed and supervised construction of both theatres in the new Performing Arts Center of Rapid City.

Ron Reed’s impact on South Dakota is immeasurable. He has spent more years as a community volunteer than in the “work for pay” world – virtually all of it out of the public eye.

Harry Truman said, “It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you don’t care who gets the credit.” “Backstage” is the way Ron works. He just gets things done.

“It’s been a wonderful life and I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Ron.