On June 7, 1996, Dr. Owen Glyndwr Reese died at the Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center, Salt Lake City, in the presence of loving family and caregivers.
Dr. Reese was born in CastleGate, Utah on November 10, 1914 to parents, Glyndwr Davies Reese and Vera Neilsen Reese. He dedicated his life to family, country, and his medical profession. Following premed undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, he graduated from Rush Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. After an internship at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, he returned to Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago to complete a residency in internal medicine.During World War II, Dr. Reese served as U.S. Navy Lt. Commander and Squadron Medical Officer aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Hovey in the South Pacific. He later received his wings as a Navy Flight Surgeon in Pensacola, Florida and concluded his military service at St. Mary's Preflight School in Moraga, California. Post war, he joined the medical staff of Kennecott Copper Corporation and St. Mark's Hospital and founded the Wasatch Medical Group in Salt Lake City. Under his direction as President and Chief of Staff, the new St. Mark's Hospital on 39th South was constructed and dedicated. He was proud to claim that he took the "first shovelful of dirt" at the groundbreaking ceremonies April 30, 1970.
Close friends and family knew of his love of gourmet food and "elegant" wines. Appointed by Governor Scott Matheson as advisor to the Utah State Liquor Commission, Dr. Reese helped establish the first wine store in Utah, and traveled throughout wineries of Europe and California to obtain "the finest". He was an active member and officer of the prestigious food society, Chaine des Rotisseurs. He was a volunteer for the Salt Lake County Drug Enforcement Agency and became a member of the Salt Lake Honorary Colonels. He participated on the Board of Directors of the Utah Heart Association and frequently gave heart training courses to nurses in small communities throughout the state. An avid hunter and golfer, Dr. Reese was a member of the Newstate Duck Club, Ft. Douglas Hidden Valley and Jeremy Ranch golf clubs.
Dr. Owen Reese was dearly loved by his family, friends and associates. He was a talented musician and had the gifts of humor and charm, which he shared with everyone. He enjoyed and honored life, living it to its fullest. He served his family, country and community with pride.
Family members include former wife, Armorel Reese-Walker and children: Dr. Owen G. Reese, Jr. and Sheri Reese Thompson; his former wife, Barbara Smith Reese and children: Jeffrey Smith, Clark Smith, and Susan Smith Turner; eleven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter, sister, Margaret R. (Bruce J.) Moffitt and brother, Col. (retired) Thomas Haydn Reese. His son,
David Giles Reese and his parents preceded him in death.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 11 at the Evans & Early Mortuary at 12 noon. Friends may visit with family members on Tuesday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment: Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family will always appreciate the special care given by staffs of the Salt Lake Home and Garden Terrace.
"We will remember him".
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