POWELL

REED B.

Reed Berkeley Powell, age 73, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2026, unexpectedly in his sleep. He leaves behind his wife of 42 years, Elissa Scalise Powell; two children, Slade Powell of Wexford and Alexander Berkeley (Cierra) Powell; two grandsons, Christian Hunter Huber of Middleton, Wisconsin and Kyrian Michael Berkeley Powell of McKees Rocks; sister, Deborah Schollaert of Bethel Park; nephew, Christopher (Audrey) Schollaert; niece, Gina Barber (Austin Kinneberg); and grandnephew, Cody Schollaert. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Berkeley Powell in 2019 and Margaret Jean (Keetley) Powell in 2005. He was born in Pittsburgh, on July 23, 1952.

Reed received his Bachelor's degree in computer science in 1975 from Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, by cobbling together courses from the math and engineering departments since there was not yet a computer science program. His first job out of college was at Online Systems, Inc. in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, where he became good friends with his future wife. Reed hated winter, so when an opportunity arose for a job with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in Arizona, he took it, followed by transfers to California and then Massachusetts and finally Pittsburgh again for a total of 17 years. Reed did technical support (and tried to ignore late-night customer calls from Bill Gates, who needed tech help for his developing business). Reed rode the highs and the lows of the computer industry, weathering layoffs that lasted from a few months to over a year, during which he did consulting work. He worked at home for nine years for Hewlett Packard during the children's high school years so that he could attend their activities. He was involved with Pittsburgh SQL Server User Group and spearheaded many local conferences. He also worked for Learning Disabilities of America Association, where he supported their office technology. He retired from Impact, Inc.(now Merkle) in 2019, where he worked with website positioning. In retirement, Reed and Elissa loved to cruise and travel to various warm places, especially during January to miss the snow.

While unwinding the life of Reed, one finds that he was the best kind of enabler. He enabled his family to succeed by supporting his wife in her professional genealogy career. He enabled his children to be brought up by an ever-present father who participated in the father-child YMCA programs of activities and camping. He enabled the North Allegheny High School Band funding by heading up the concession stand and selling his famous chili on cold Friday football nights. He enabled his co-workers to succeed in their company missions, whether it was to sell computer products or support websites. He enabled his Christ Episcopal Church family of 36 years by being a Sunday reader, spearheading the Maundy Thursday lamb stew meal preparation, cooking meals for Jubilee Soup Kitchen, and serving as Junior Warden in charge of the facilities. He enabled his neighborhood community by welcoming new neighbors, facilitating email communication blasts, and serving as treasurer and webmaster for many years. He enabled the North Hills Genealogists to succeed in their mission of providing education on family history research by being their treasurer for 20 years and being their webmaster. And most recently, he enabled his 16-month-old grandson, Kyrian, to do swimming lessons; he was Kyrian's "favorite person," which always made Reed smile.

Reed liked to build things. While establishing his family in Massachusetts where his children were born, he single-handedly finished a 30'x26' home addition over three years "from the studs in" after the contractor built the foundation and frame. The increased value enabled his family to move "back home" to Pittsburgh in 1990, where he continued to improve his house with many building projects. His joy of creating and improving space seems to have been passed down to his children and,hopefully, grandchildren.

Reed's quiet presence exuded patience, capability, generosity, kindness, caring, thoughtfulness, mentorship, encouragement, warmth, and friendliness. He leaves a hole in every social circle he was a part of.

The family will receive visitors at SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME, 1600 Stone Mansion Dr., Franklin Park, on Monday, May 25, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. In addition, a Celebration of Life will be held later at Christ Episcopal Church, 5910 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237.

The family requests NO flowers. Please consider donations to Christ Episcopal Church, https://christ-episcopal-church-5.square.site/product/gift/9 or to the Jubilee Soup Kitchen, https://jubileekitchen.org/donate-2.