David Reed, publisher and co-owner of Petroglyph Press and Basically Books, died on August 2 at his home in Hilo after a brief illness. He was 74 years old.
Reed was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in a home where reading was emphasized. His parents moved to Hilo in 1958, when Reed was a teenager and Hawaii was still a territory. He received his college education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Reed’s mother, who had been a librarian in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, became children’s librarian at the Hilo Public Library and founded Petroglyph Press in 1962.
“We had a great partnership in business, personal life and love for over 51 years,” Reed’s wife of 47 years, Christine, said on Facebook on Wednesday. “His passion was creating and publishing books about Hawaii after taking over Petroglyph Press from his parents in 1974. He loved every aspect of the publishing process, from creation to production, and was a true craftsman.”
“Together we founded Basically Books in 1985.”
According to Christine Reed, her husband was “always there.”
“If you were stranded on the side of the road, David would come. If you had a print job you needed yesterday, he would do it today,” he said.
News of David Reed’s death spread quickly, especially in the literary and arts community, both through word of mouth and social media.
“He was a longtime friend, a pleasant fellow and an important figure in Hilo’s literary life,” said Hal Glatzer, author, musician, actor, playwright and theater director.
Cyrus Wilson said he was heartbroken by the sad news.
“My sister was very close to (David Reed’s mother) since the early days of Petroglyph Press, and David often brought his father to Uncle Billy’s restaurant when I worked there,” he said.
“May David rest in love; our entire community is enriched by his contributions,” added environmentalist Deborah Ward.
Morgen Bahurinsky, retired executive director of the Palace Theater who works at Basically Books, said David Reed was “such an important person in the community.”
“It’s going to be hard being there and knowing he’s never going to come back in,” she said.
Tom Peek, award-winning author of the novels “Daughters of Fire” and “Mauna Kea,” told the Tribune-Herald that Reed “will be sorely missed by many, including me every time I walk into Basically Books.”
“David Reed was a fixture in Hilo, not only as the owner of one of Hawaii’s oldest publishing houses and independent bookstores, but also as a welcome guest at countless community events over the decades,” Peek said. “David and his family have kept authentic island stories – and the true spirit of Hawaii – alive for three generations, a contribution that cannot be overstated.”
Christine Reed said her husband “leaves behind a legacy of a fulfilled life and a life of creative endeavor.”
Other survivors include daughter Stacey, son Alexander and grandson David.
A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, September 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Wailoa State Recreation Area, Pavilion 3.
Email John Burnett at [email protected].
