Norm Reed; Long Beach Civic Enthusiast

When Norm Reed directed a Long Beach City College training program that placed 500 disadvantaged people in new jobs last year, it was what his friends and colleagues said was yet another example of his integrity, commitment and love for his native city.

The active veteran of nearly a dozen city improvement agencies and civic groups died Sunday of injuries from a car accident while driving to church. He was 52, and his death triggered an outpouring of grief in Long Beach.

“He was one of the people in this community who absolutely loved his city,” said Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill, for whom Reed worked as a legislative aide from 1994 to 1996. “He never intruded but always led.”

Born in Long Beach in 1949, Reed spent his teens in Orange County but returned to Long Beach in 1971 after earning a bachelor’s degree in planning and city development from USC.

At the time of his death, he was pursuing a master’s degree in business administration at Pepperdine University and was director of several community development projects by Long Beach City College.

“He enjoyed learning things and always wanted to learn more,” said his mother, Lenora Reed. “All the time, he wanted to progress.”

Reed’s thirst for progress didn’t stop with his own. It extended to all of Long Beach.

He was the chairman of the city’s Economic Development Commission, an active member of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and a former member of the Downtown Development Policy Board.

Reed’s previous jobs included director of community projects for Goodwill Industries and executive director of Leadership Long Beach Inc., where he helped develop leadership training programs.

“He was so committed to instilling a sense of trusteeship in leaders in our community,” said Leadership Executive Director Jane Wallace. “He did it by example.”

As a volunteer, Reed served as president of the Long Beach Grand Prix Committee of 300, and was made an honorary member of the Long Beach Fire Department. He taught sensitivity classes to help firefighters become more aware of the needs of poor and disadvantaged groups.

He also volunteered to teach at a Cambodian community center, and was instrumental in helping One, a local gay and lesbian group to organize an AIDS Walk and open a community center, friends and colleagues said. He also served on the board of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.

“He lived his life and did his job treating others the way he wanted to be treated,” said friend and roommate Art Arbizu. “Whatever he did, he did with the greatest of his ability, and he made everybody feel like they were important.”

Reed is survived by his mother, who lives in Long Beach.

Services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Long Beach, 241 Cedar Ave. A reception will immediately follow. His remains will be cremated and scattered at sea in a private ceremony.