Thomas Michael Reese
Thomas Michael (Mike) Reese died unexpectedly on Aug. 18 after a valiant battle with a rare form of liver disease. He was 51.
Reese was born Dec. 24, 1966 in Bangor, Maine. He graduated from Oakton High School in Oakton, Virginia in 1984, and earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, with an emphasis in lasers and optics. After graduation, he worked at the Aerospace Corporation for several years in laser spectroscopy. From there, he transitioned to the U.S. Air Force, where he focused on advanced space payloads. Reese then moved to the National Reconnaissance Office, where he served as the chief systems engineer for the Technology Pathfinder Initiative Program Office and also worked as a legislative affairs officer. In 2002, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency as Director of the Systems Engineering Group and also worked as the Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T) Covert Action Mission manager. Following his distinguished eight-year career in the intelligence community, Reese joined the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he initially worked in the Office of Strategic Outcomes, and most recently served as Deputy Associate Program Leader for Weapons and Complex Integration. Outside of work, his passions included fast cars, fine coffees, Krav Maga and high-end audio, but most of all, he loved spending time with his children.
Reese is survived by his two loving sons, Zachary and Nicholas; devoted parents, Thomas and Rita Reese; brother, Marc Reese (Debi) and sister, Melissa Steinmetz (Tim); and the mother of his children, Mary Reese.
His zest for life and for knowledge was contagious and endeared him to those fortunate enough to know him.
Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 11:30 a.m., followed by a memorial service at noon at Graham-Hitch Mortuary in Pleasanton. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a charitable contribution be made in his name to the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) or the American Liver Foundation.
