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Matt was joy and surprise, drama and suspense, intuition and love.
I remember him pursuing acting with a lion-hearted courage. I remember him pushing me to like anime with an annoying mouse-like devotion.
I remember the first time I met him as a freshman, as he played a joke on me in our college dining hall. I remember the last time I saw him, as he continued to joke with me during his five year college homecoming reunion.
How light he made things then, how heavy his passing leaves me now.
I will miss him deep and sad. I will cherish his laughter and childlike spirit forever.
My thoughts and prayers and condolences abundantly to Justin, the Reed family, and Ms. Shannon. May you find yourselves wrapped in Godly strength, support, and love.
I met Matt my freshman year in college. Even though he’d already graduated, a part of the infamously close-knit class of ’09, I’d still see him frequently hanging out in Uj. I’m pretty sure he attended more theme programs than most residents lol. This guy was funny, energetic, and had a way of making you feel like you had been friends for a long time. I identified with him being the oldest of three brothers, and hoped I’d mature to be as confident and happy-go-lucky as him. I remember once when I had cut my hair I had been growing out, people would say, “You went from Jay Reed to Matt Reed” lol. I took that as a compliment.
You will be missed, and I just want to add to the many voices who remember and admire you. Rest in power, brother.
Freshman year at Stanford, I was writing a paper. A very long paper. At around 9:30 pm, when I was just hitting my stride and getting excited about the prospect of going to bed at a decent hour, my computer crashed and died.
I stared at it in disbelief for about 10 minutes, then commenced a serious freak out just as Matthew Reed happened to be passing in the Upper A hallway. He gave me the world’s biggest hug and told me he’d be right back. I tried my best to shake it off and holed up in the Ujamaa computer cluster, resigned to staying up all night to get my paper done.
A half hour later, in walks Matt Reed with a giant iced coffee from Starbucks.
There’s not enough words or stories I could tell to describe the many sides of Matt Reed. Intellectually brilliant with the kindest heart. Larger than life. Talented beyond measure. Possessor of the sharpest eye for the the most nuanced and subtle of comic observations.
Matt had this way of making frustrating or overwhelming things seem like they weren’t a big deal, and of making joyous small moments seem even bigger. I am absolutely rocked with grief to hear of his passing.
I used to have this theory that you could tell a lot about a person by the way they played basketball. In the many memories I have of playing pick-up at Arriaga with Aaron and Matt freshman year, Matt always always had my back. Almost always as the only girl on a court full of big dudes where I was either pushed around or ignored, Matt had my back. He made sure he passed to me, knowing everyone would underestimate me. He, Aaron and I were a triple threat, we would say we came as a package deal so they wouldn’t break us up and could look out for each other. He was such a kind and loyal friend.
Matt, Aaron and Jilliane (especially collectively), could me laugh like no one else could. Like rolling on the floor, can’t breathe, abs were sore the next day laughter. My sincere apologies to all of the upperclassman in upper A who had to put up with living near our loud, inconsiderate selves. Thank you for adding years to my life and life to my years with that kind of laughter.
But years go by and words are left unsaid. Way too much time passes.
I can just only hope he knew how much he meant to me and to all of us.
My deepest condolences and regards to Shannan, Catherine, Justin, Milan and the rest of the Reed family.
Matthew Reed will forever be remembered as a great role model for me and all of the men in our community. He excelled in many areas including athletics and academics, and he was a great example to me as a young man growing up in Los Angeles. In high school, Matthew motivated my friends and I to work hard and be smart. As he held himself to a high standard but always remained approachable and down to earth, he encouraged us to reach higher.
When I went to college, Matthew and Justin were close by at Stanford. His presence helped to ease my transition at that time in my life. I will forever be thankful for him.
I want to express my deepest condolences to the Reed family, and my sadness at the loss of a good friend. Thank you for sharing Matthew with us, he was a soul I’m happy to have known and grown with.
Much Love,
Hamilton
Matt’s urgency to connect with God should have signaled his understanding that his work for God had to be a priority. I remember his piercing questions in AP Sunday School class and his move to study with the adults because his analysis of the scripture was so deep.
As I think if him now I see him grilling God re how, when, and who has been called to set things right. I won’t be surprised when one of us hears from him and moves out to carry on his earthly mission.
Reed men I am only a phone call away.
Mz Jackie
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker