Reed M. Badgley ’51

Reed M. Badgley ’51—a man for all seasons who loved jazz, poetry and performing magic tricks—died on April 12 in Chicago. He is survived by three children, including son Forrest ’93, and four grandchildren. Forrest describes growing up with his dad as being “like living with Count Basie, Robert Frost and Harry Houdini.” Until the last few years Reed delighted in music, whether he was banging out tunes on his piano or enjoying performances by jazz greats Marian McPartland or Ramsey Lewis, many of whom became his friends. While at Dartmouth he wrote the song “Boston, Boston, Boston (What a Town to Get Lost In),” which became a staple of Glee Club performances. In Chicago Reed was a member of the visiting committee to the department of music at the University of Chicago and served on the board of the Jazz Institute of Chicago. He was a board member of the Golden Apple Foundation, which recognized outstanding teachers in Chicago and suburban schools, Santa for the Very Poor and the Winnetka Community House, where he chaired its board of investment managers. Dartmouth was close to Reed’s heart. He served on the Alumni Council, the board of the Dartmouth Club of Chicago and the class of ’51 executive committee. Giving back was a central theme in his life. Reed’s professional life included 20 years in advertising and 30 years as a stockbroker. He served in the U.S. Navy immediately following graduation.