Donald Lyle Ream

Ream, Donald L. born 19 April, 1922, in Johnstown, PA, died on April 8, 2014. in Tempe, AZ. Preceded in death by his wife Genevieve (Patterson), daughter Carole (Hopkins), survived by daughters Linda (Martinell) and Donna Lea (Shafer), and brother Paul. Graduated from the College of William and Mary with scholastic honors. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, member Virginia Football Hall of Fame (Wm. & Mary 1942), received the James Frederic Carr Memorial Award for being the outstanding student for Wm. & Mary (1944), member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, elected Student Body President in 1944 but unable to serve due to Naval commission, when he received advanced schooling at the University of Richmond, Harvard and M.I.T. Donald served during WW II in the Philippines, Borneo and Japan until 1946, when he returned and received his degree from William and Mary. He became a cryptanalyst with the department of the Navy and then filled one of the Governments' initial positions for computer engineering. He was a member of the group that developed the first digital, programmable computer in 1950. During his career, he was responsible for much of the computer development pertaining to the Naval DOD. He was awarded the Gold Medal by the American Society of Naval Engineers for exceptional and outstanding service to Naval Engineering in the advancement of the science and application of digital computers to complex systems. Donald retired in 1982 and lived an outstanding life with friends and family at Friendship Village in Tempe, where a Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Say not in grief that he is no more, but say in thankfulness that he was