Reed Obituary

Matthew David Reagon ‘94 died on Saturday, June 7, 2008. He is survived by his parents, David and Janet Reagon, his beloved companion, Lynn Hinck, along with their daughter, Moira, and her children, Alexis and Grace. He is also survived by his former wife, Tracy Luks ‘94, and their children Bridget and Kathleen. Family members include his brother Michael, wife Su Su, and nephews David and Patrick; his brother William and partner Erica; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Matt attended Reed from 1990 to 1994. He was an anthropology major, and wrote his Thesis with Prof. Gail Kelly on millennial movements among the Maori of New Zealand. While at Reed, he also hosted a radio show on KRRC, wrote a column for the Quest, and greatly enjoyed brandishing his rapier wit in seminars, the Paradox, and the bars of Portland. After graduating from Reed, Matt pursued his ambition to be a ‘scholarly gentleman of leisure’, doing graduate work in anthropology, law, ancient Greek and Hebrew, philosophy and Christian history, most recently at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. At the time of his death Matt was writing a paper on Baruch Spinoza’s Hebrew Grammar, in which he argued that Spinoza’s unique approach to Hebrew grammar intentionally conveyed his equally unique approach to epistemology and metaphysics. Matt was also a consummate craftsman, combining his love of history, exotic locals, power tools, and honest hard work. He built remarkable creations for his family and installed hardwood floors with artistry. As the owner of Fundamental Floors Inc. in San Anselmo, CA, he became a self-conscious capitalist. While not his passion, entrepreneurship satisfied his need to provide for the children he adored, gave him the opportunity to pass on his skills to his Malaysian apprentice, and allowed him to impart historic and literary facts to unsuspecting clients. Further, he took comfort in the fact that Baruch Spinoza ground lenses to support himself. Matt's avocations included running (and running, and running), mountain-climbing, baking, photography with his vintage Rolleiflex medium format camera, occasional preaching, and voracious reading.

Matt was absolutely crazy about each of his kids, and often claimed that creating his family of five girls was the great accomplishment of his life. They have inherited a legacy of literary passion, arcane vocabulary, and enormous generosity of spirit.

Throughout his adulthood, Matt struggled with the diseases of bipolar disorder and addiction. While this struggle ultimately ended with his death from a drug overdose, he was clean from drugs for over seven years, and his own recovery and service to those struggling with addiction was central to his identity. Matt drew on his experience to share love, strength and hope with many others during his years of recovery.