William Reeder

William Reeder

February 04, 1929 - February 27, 2026

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Obituary

Our father, William G. Reeder, lifelong learner, was a devoted professor of zoology and tireless advocate for libraries and museums.

Within our family, Bill communicated the importance of education, urging us to spare no effort in learning. He encouraged those he loved to pursue their studies and to develop themselves, fulfilling their potential.

Bill loved the natural world. He was happy to explore western deserts, the hills of Southern California, Coastal Alaska, the Galápagos Islands, Antarctica, East Africa and other beautiful places. Beyond the natural world, Bill loved exploring museums and libraries around the globe.

After completing his degrees at UCLA and the University of Michigan, Bill joined the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1957, where he taught zoology, directed the Zoological Museum and mentored generations of students. Later, he served as Director of the Texas Memorial Museum and Professor of Zoology at the University of Texas at Austin, championing hands-on learning and the enduring importance of great research libraries.

Returning to Madison in retirement, Bill served the Friends of the UW-Madison Libraries with dedication and vision, strengthening Special Collections for future scholars. He also remained active as a volunteer researcher at the UW Zoological Museum.

Bill will be remembered for his intellectual generosity, integrity, devotion to family and steadfast belief that knowledge must be both discovered and preserved. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friends he valued, the students he mentored, the collections he strengthened and the many lives made richer by his wisdom and example.

Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Gladys Reeder, his wife Lynn and his son, Jeffrey.

 

Bill leaves behind three generations of family who love him, among whom are his treasured wife Joyce, his children Elisabeth Owens, Heather Bott, Mark Morache and Katy Reeder, their spouses, children and grandchildren, Joyce’s family and very precious friends who felt like family to Bill.  

 

Bill died at home on February 27, 2026.

We thank Agrace HospiceCare for their compassionate and expert care and guidance, and our team of truly gifted caregivers.  Each one of you is amazing; we appreciate you more than words can express.

 

Donations honoring our dad can be made to the University of Wisconsin Zoology Museum Endowment Fund through the UW Foundation, or to Agrace HospiceCare.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

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AR
A Memorial Tree was planted for William G. "Bill" Reeder
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Middleton
PM
Priscilla Meinholz
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Katy, So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Please know that our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Priscilla & Cletus
JN
John Neu
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Dear Reeder family, I was so sorry to learn of Bill's death. We had been close friends since the 60s, when I began work in the Special Collections Dept. in Memorial Library. Our personalities and interests were very similar, and together with Joyce, we spent many visits talking of books and libraries. He helped so much in organizing and supporting the Friends of the Library, and his contributions of funds and so many of his own beautiful books were of major importance in the development of the history of science collections. I hadn't seen him lately. I had tried to call him several times in the past three weeks to talk about the recent unfortunate development with the Friends of the Library, but the phone was always busy, so I assumed he was no longer living at home. Your father was a wonderful man and I will always have fond memories of the many times we spent together. I doubt if Joyce will remember me now, but if she should, please give her my sympathy. John Neu
KF
Ken Frazier
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In Memoriam: William “Bill” Reeder When I first met Bill Reeder he was already of an age when many men retire and even then he was rock-star handsome. His manner was intelligently informal and he had longish hair like James Taylor when James still had hair. He had a casual way of using latin binomial nomenclature whether he was talking about a rare species of spiders or common garden plants. This habit of speech came from his lifelong practice of close observation that started as a teenager exploring the deserts of southern California with high school pals looking for (guess what) spiders they had never seen before. I got to know Bill Reeder as a “friend of the library” when I was a UW-Madison library director but he became a friend and role-model who opened my eyes to his way of seeing nature, my work, and the university's role in advancing hands-on learning and discovery. It was through Bill that I learned to love the southwestern U.S.– not as America’s desert but as an exotic landscape teeming with beautiful living things. Bill Reeder had a passionate interest in the way that rare physical objects, specimens, and, yes, books can be used to convey knowledge, understanding, and new insights. It inspired him to devote a significant part of his career and personal wealth to organizations and programs that collect and preserve biological specimens, material culture, and books. Bill was both a product and an exemplar of the best things public research universities do in advancing knowledge, enriching learning, and making discoveries that benefit society. We sometimes call this the “Wisconsin Idea” but Bill carried and expressed these values wherever he worked and taught. Too often these ideals now sound like clichés but Bill Reeder “walked the talk” his entire adult life. Ken Frazier
JT
Jeremy Tollefson
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Dear Katy, Ben, and Family, We were saddened to hear about Bill’s passing. From hearing stories about his adventures over the years, to reading more about his life, it’s clear he lived a full and meaningful one. We’re thinking of all of you and sending our condolences. Jeremy, Aubrey, Leif, and Reid Tollefson
SM
Sondra McLinn
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Dear Heather, and the extended Reeder family, EB and I are very sorry to read that your father has died. We hope that you find comfort in his memory and the many contributions he made to a better world. Heather, we would love to reconnect with you! EB and Sondy McLinn

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