In Remembrance: Emery I. Reeves ’51E Died on March 3 2026

Emery Reeves passed away on March 3, 2026, at the age of 96, in his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.

After graduating from Yale, Emery received a master's degree in engineering from MIT, and briefly served in the US Navy before joining the aerospace and defense industry in Southern California. Emery worked for defense contractor TRW for almost 30 years, where he eventually ran the FLTSATCOM project, designing and building a series of communications satellites for the US Navy, which were launched starting in 1978.

After retiring from industry, Emery became an educator, instructing graduate students in aeronautics and astronautics, first at Stanford University and then at the US Air Force Academy. Emery was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, aerospace section, in 2003.

While raising his family, Emery spent time as a Scout leader and soccer coach. After retirement, he and his wife took a number of long-distance bicycle trips, including several cross country trips. Over a period of ten to fifteen years, they cycled in all 50 states.

Emery was predeceased by Emily Townsend Reeves, his wife of more than 60 years, and is survived by four sons, three daughters-in-law, and five grandsons.

—Submitted by the family.