David Reed, publisher and co-owner of Petroglyph Press and Basically Books, died Aug. 2 at his home in Hilo after a brief illness. He was 74.
Born in Pennsylvania, Reed grew up in a home where reading was valued. His parents moved to Hilo in 1958, when Reed was a preteen and Hawaii was still a territory. He received his college education at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Reed’s mother, who’d been a librarian in Lycoming County, Pa., became the children’s librarian at Hilo Public Library and founded Petroglyph Press in 1962.
“We had a great partnership for over 51 years in business, life, and love,” said Reed’s wife of 47 years, Christine, Wednesday on Facebook. “His passion was the creation and publication of books about Hawaii, after he took over Petroglyph Press from his parents in 1974. He loved every aspect of the publishing process, from creation to manufacture, and was a true craftsman.
“Together we founded Basically Books in 1985.”
According to Christine Reed, her husband “always showed up.”
“If you were stranded on the side of the road, David would come. If you had a printing job you needed yesterday, he would get it done today,” he said.
Word of David Reed’s passing spread quickly, especially through the literary and arts communities, through both word of mouth and social media.
“He was a longtime friend, a delightful fellow to hang out with, and an important figure in the literary life of Hilo,” said Hal Glatzer, an author, musician, actor, playwright and theatrical director.
Cyrus Wilson said his “heart just sank at this sad news.”
“My sister was very close (to David Reed’s mother) from the early days of the Petroglyph Press, and David often brought his father to Uncle Billy’s restaurant when I was working there,” he said.
“May David rest in love; our entire community has been richer for 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 will be hard to be there knowing he’ll never come walking in again,” she said.
Tom Peek, award-winning author of the novels “Daughters of Fire” and “Mauna Kea,” told the Tribune-Herald Reed will be “sorely missed by many, including me, each and 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 as a welcome presence at countless community events for decades,” Peek said. “David and his family have kept authentic island narratives — and the true spirit of Hawaii — alive and well for three generations, a contribution that cannot be overstated.”
Christine Reed said her husband “leaves a legacy of a life well lived, and a lifetime of creative endeavors.”
Other survivors include daughter, Stacey, son, Alexander, and grandson, David.
A celebration of life is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Wailoa State Recreation Area, Pavilion 3.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
