Memorial

Carl F. Reeder, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital following a short illness.  Services will be held on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 11 AM at First Lutheran Church with a visitation beginning at 9 AM at the church.  Rev. LeRoy Bradway will be officiating.  Burial will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Carl is survived by his wife of 66 years, Eleanor; children, Lynn Hansen and husband Bryce, Iowa City; Steven Reeder and wife, Carol, rural Alburnett; Brian Reeder and wife, Veronica, La Habra, CA; Bruce Reeder and wife, Dana, Boise, ID; seven grandchildren, Ryan (Leah) Hansen of New York City, NY, Caryn (Kyle) Wilcox of Evanston, IL, Scott (Amanda) Reeder of Cedar Rapids, John (Amanda) Reeder of Chicago, IL, Laura Reeder of Iowa City, Lauren Reeder of Boise, ID, Brett Reeder of Boise, ID, and seven great grandchildren.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Agnes (Vajnar) Reeder and by brothers, Vern and Gale Reeder.

Carl was born July 16, 1927 in Cedar Rapids.  He graduated from Wilson High School as valedictorian of his class, and served in the US Navy during WWII.  He graduated from the University of Iowa in February, 1950 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.

Carl spent 44 years in the corn processing industry, first in research, process engineering, production supervision and technical service assignments with Penick and Ford, Ltd.  After 20 years, he moved to Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM).  Early in his career with ADM he was instrumental in bringing new sweetener products into use by major food, beverage, and confectionery companies.  Carl was appointed Director of Technical Services of the Corn Processing Division of ADM in 1985.  In addition to his corn sweetener responsibilities, he spearheaded technical support to the fuel ethanol portion of the business, working with the pipeline, auto and petroleum refining industries.

In 2000, Carl represented the ethanol industry in working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to establish specifications for ethanol used for blending with California gasoline.  California subsequently became a major market for the ethanol industry.

For 17 years, Carl was an instructor at the National Confectioners Short Course at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin.  He was chairman for five years of the technical committee of the Renewable Fuels Association, a trade organization of U.S. ethanol producers.

Carl was active during his career in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Institute of Food Technologists.  He served as chairman of the Iowa sections of these two organizations.  Other national organizations in which he was active were the National Confectioners Association, the American Association of Candy Technologists, the International Society of Beverage Technologists, the Society of Automotive Engineers and the American Society for Testing and Materials.
Carl enjoyed bridge, tennis, making candy for friends, volunteering at St. Luke’s Hospital, and spending time with his family.  He also enjoyed following the sports teams of the University of Iowa, his alma mater.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the World Hunger Appeal at First Lutheran Church or First Lutheran Church.