Christopher (Kit) D. Reed of Cambridge and Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts died on July 21, 2016 at age 79. Prior to his retirement in 2007, he was the Executive Editor of Harvard Magazine. Kit joined Harvard Magazine as Managing Editor in 1968 and in the fall of 1999 became Executive Editor. After retiring, he continued as a contributing editor. Upon graduating from Yale College in 1959, and prior to joining the Magazine, he worked at Harvard University Press. He excelled at writing, not only because of his strong technical skills and keen sense of humor, but also because of his true interest in learning about diverse subjects and engaging with interesting people. At the end of 2008, the Magazine gave him the McCord Prize honoring his superb writing.

Kit was an inveterate collector. Throughout his life he amassed a variety of objects, including arrowheads, ancient Greek coins, antique guns (he had a license) and Scottish terrier memorabilia. He loved to learn the story behind everything and relished the chance to share what he learned with others. Although his clear love was for dogs, particularly scotties, he was accepting of every new furry friend his wife Jane brought home, and there were many.

Kit’s passion for gardening and landscaping was the envy of neighbors and friends. He delighted in sharing clippings from his favorite plants which now thrive in many local gardens. In the 1980’s he became a contributing editor to Horticulture Magazine. Kit and his wife Jane, a photographer, worked together on several articles featuring the Chelsea Flower Show in England.

He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer P. Reed of San Leandro, CA, his brother-in-law and his wife, Michael and Ardith Crampton, of West Hartford, Connecticut, and Vineyard Haven; his sister-in-law, Tinka Reed, of Jaffrey New Hampshire; and many nieces and nephews. Kit’s only sibling, his brother Peter, died in 2009. His wife, Jane C. Reed, died in 2013.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. To leave a message for the family, there is a guest book on the Keefe Funeral Home website: www.keefefuneralhome.com. Friends wishing to make financial donations in his name might consider one of his favorite charities: Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, PO Box 494 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.