Richard Reed

Tribute

Richard Reed, aka Captain Swim, passed away peacefully on January 21st, 2026. After battling numerous health issues over the years, he finally lost that fight with congestive heart failure. Rich was born and raised in Castro Valley CA, where he graduated from Castro Valley High School and later attended Chabot Community College. His passion from the time he was a teenager had always been teaching swimming. When Rich Reeds Swim School opened, his main focus was helping children to be safe in the water, and he pioneered a program for infants to be able to float and move to the side of the pool should they fall in. This infant water safety program was recognized at the time by a segment shown on ABC's Evening Magazine. Over the years, hundreds of children have been taught to swim and be safe in and near the water thanks to his swim programs. Later in life, Rich advanced this passion by transitioning from teaching children to providing a service to adults who were injured. Hydrocare Physical Therapy was his next endeavor. He created one of the first clinics of its kind in the East Bay to assist patients in strengthening and recovering from injury through water therapy. There is no doubt that Rich was happiest when in and around the water. His favorite thing to do was drive his boat! There was no place he would rather be than with his family out on the water on a sunny summer day with Jimmy Buffett songs blasting out of the speakers. There was never any hesitation when asked by his children to pull them on tubes, skis, or wakeboards. He would gladly be out on the water from dusk to dawn, which included hanging out in the middle of Lake Almanor, our favorite summer vacation spot, enjoying a swim and a picnic lunch. We enjoyed many great times there as a family and created memories to cherish for a lifetime. Rich had a big heart, though not a strong one. He will be remembered and loved by his family and by all the lives he touched.

Friends & Family

Rich is survived by his wife Donna (Maiorino) Reed, two children, Cody Reed and Lauren Reed Witt, and two grandchildren, Jameson Witt and Rowan Witt.