Theodore Reed (zoologist)

Theodore Harold Reed (July 25, 1922—July 2, 2013) was an American veterinarian and zoologist.

Theodore Harold Reed
Theodore Reed holding maned wolf pup, c. 1983
Born	Theodore Harold Reed (1922-07-25)July 25, 1922 Washington, D.C., United States
Died	July 2, 2013(2013-07-02) (aged 90) Milford, Delaware, United States
Alma mater	Kansas State University
Occupation(s)	Veterinarian, Zoologist
Years active	1955–2013
Employer	National Zoological Park (United States)
Known for	The creation of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Life

He was born at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. to Ollie W. Reed Sr., an Army officer and Mildred Reed.^[1] He had an older brother, Ollie Jr., who would later become an Army officer. His older brother, serving as a lieutenant in 363th Infantry Regiment, and his father, serving as a colonel in the 175th Infantry Regiment, were killed within weeks of each other in July 1944 during World War II.^[2] They were both laid to rest in the Normandy American Cemetery in graves, Plot E, Row 20, Graves 19 and 20.^[3]

He graduated from Kansas State College (now Kansas State University) in veterinary medicine and zoology. He served as the veterinarian at the Portland Zoo in Oregon.^[1]

He joined the National Zoological Park (United States) in 1955. He was named associate director in 1956, and director in 1958. In 1972, he helped bring the pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing to the National Zoo. In 1975, he helped create the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.^[2]

He died in a nursing home in Milford, Delaware.^[1]