Barbara R. Reed

Barbara R. Reed, MD passed away peacefully in the company of her beloved and loving family, on September 30, 2021, of complications of leukemia. She was grateful for the wonderful support of family, friends, colleagues, and caregivers both throughout her life and most recently during her illness.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Leisha Andersen (Scott) and son Jeff Knize (Maricar), and grandchildren Liam, Kevin and Shay Andersen and Trevor and Carly Knize. She is survived as well by her sisters Ellen, Kathryn (Steve Goldman) and Vikki Reed and her brothers Pat (Susan) and Michael (Irma).

Barbara was a long-time resident of Denver, completing her MD degree and Dermatology training at University of Colorado School of Medicine. She practiced at the Denver Skin Clinic, and served as volunteer faculty at the University of Colorado and the Denver Veteran’s Affairs Hospital. She served as President of the Colorado Dermatologic Society, President of the Women’s Dermatology Society, and on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Physician’s Insurance Company (COPIC) locally and for the American Academy of Dermatology nationally. She truly enjoyed the compassion, excellence, and exchange involved in caring for patients.

Barbara loved ballet (especially Giselle) and opera, and traveled to Vail, Colorado, New York, London, and Paris to enjoy performances with friends. She also loved music, spending many pandemic days practicing the piano or sharing fond memories of assisting with the sound production for the University Club’s annual Twelfth Night performances.

Mostly, Barbara loved spending time with family and friends. She attended as many of her grandchildren’s games, events, and celebrations as possible. With friends, she shared early morning walks and afternoon happy hours. At least twice a year, she welcomed family and friends to join her on Balboa Island (her favorite location), where she enjoyed the bay, the ocean, the wedge, the fruit stand, the fun zone, walks around the island, watching the regattas, counting the minutes until the Catalina Flyer returned to dock each evening, and seeing the Pavilion lit up at night.

A Celebration of Life is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, please “pay it forward” (as Barbara would say) to a charity of your choice. Barbara’s favorites include Colorado Ballet and Opera Colorado.