Frederick Stanley Reis Jr.

Frederick Stanley Reis Jr., of Dover, Massachusetts and Arlington, Virginia, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, just shy of his 91st birthday, after a brief illness. A Navy Captain, professor, policy analyst, writer, and lifelong student of history and governance, Fred was above all a fiercely loyal and quietly generous friend, godfather, cousin, and correspondent. Born in Boston, Fred was a graduate of Roxbury Latin School, Harvard University, and Stanford University. He served with distinction in the U.S. Navy for over 30 years, both on active duty and in the Naval Reserves, ultimately retiring as a Captain. His work spanned naval intelligence, submarine salvage, medical readiness, and strategic planning for defense reform. He later taught political science and worked with organizations including the Library of Congress on leadership and systems development. Fred’s intellect was matched by his humility. He approached life with a scholar’s mind and a pastor’s heart—questioning systems, chronicling history, and always reaching out to others. His annual Christmas letters—often humorous, always thoughtful—offered a steady thread of connection across generations and geographies. “I’m still a pretty fair tour guide,” he once wrote. And indeed, he was—offering perspective, insight, and care that anchored those lucky enough to know him. Though unmarried and without children, Fred created a chosen family of cousins (near and far), goddaughters, Navy colleagues, and their children. He never missed a birthday or life event if he could help it, and he never stopped checking in—decades after most others had drifted. Friends and relatives describe him as the person who never forgot, never dropped the ball, and never let distance weaken a bond. He always put others first, and never made any friendship about himself. He traveled widely, read voraciously, served honorably, and gave generously—supporting a number of causes and institutions close to his heart (to be named in a future notice). In his final days, Fred was fortunate to be visited by cousins from Canada, a gift of timing that brought peace and comfort in his last hours .Fred leaves behind his goddaughters, many cousins across the U.S. and Canada, and a wide circle of devoted friends, mentees, and former colleagues. His legacy is one of enduring loyalty, principled service, intellectual rigor, and a life lived with quiet grace. A memorial service will be held later this summer with the date to be announced shortly. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the World Wildlife Fund, in memory of Frederick S Reis Jr., (ref ID 8-23510063) WWF 1250 24th St NW Washington DC 20037.