Belmont Councilman Eric Reed passed away on Dec. 8 after a three-year struggle with Stage IV prostate cancer.
Councilman Reed served on the Belmont City Council for four years and sought to make various reforms.
Previously, he had served on the city’s Planning Commission from 2008 to 2013 and also served a term as Belmont Mayor from 2015 to 2016. Prior to his involvement with the city, he was an executive at Genentech.
During his time as a member of the City Council, Councilman Reed was involved in several projects, such as supporting the addition of the Crystal Springs Uplands School on Ralston Avenue. He was also part of several attempts to reduce overregulation of Belmont’s citizens, such as the Belmont’s Tree Ordinance that regulates tree removal.
Councilman Reed was also directly responsible for the creation of Twin Pines’ Veterans Memorial bench. The project took two years to complete and was unveiled on Nov. 10.
A transcript of a Parks and Recreation meeting discussing the proposed design states: “Councilmember Reed explained how his experience at a Vietnam memorial inspired him to look into installing a memorial bench to honor those that served their country.”
According to the City Manager’s weekly update, Councilman Reed also met the mother of Lars Sundel, a Belmont resident who was killed in action in Vietnam.
He then brought forth the idea of having a Veterans Memorial in Belmont to honor veterans of all wars. The City Council then committed funds to make this project a reality.
Through his involvement, Councilman Reed became known as an active member of the Belmont City Council and constantly working to better the community.
“He was so passionate about his job and he loved doing it,” said Nicholas Reed, the Councilman’s son and a sophomore at Summit Preparatory Charter High School.
Councilman Reed’s passion for making a positive impact inspired others.
“I remember how in first grade, he came into my class for Job Day. There was this little lot called Firehouse Square, and he asked us what we wanted to do with that lot, and everyone said, let’s build a park. And he got everyone excited and pushed for it, and although it didn’t happen, that was just the kind of thing he did,” said Nicholas Reed.
His diagnosis of Stage IV cancer in September 2015 did not deter him from continuing to try and make Belmont an even better place.
“For the most of his time on City Council he had Stage IV cancer, but he still showed up and went to as many Council meetings until he just couldn’t anymore,” said Nicholas Reed. “He showed up once when he still had to use a cane. He would have shown up in a wheelchair if he had to.”
Councilman Reed will be remembered as someone who was always trying to make Belmont a better place, from creating a memorial to honor the veterans of Belmont to pushing for economic development to improve the community.
“He was what I would call a statesman,” said Rev. Michael Arase-Barham, vicar of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and Councilman Reed’s best friend. “There are a lot of politicians, but what I think makes someone a statesman is that they have a sincere desire, in spite of whatever flaws they may have, to do what’s right for the good of the larger community. And he, I think, sought to do that.”
