I married into the Beck family in 1962. My wife Judy had her sister Barbara Clark as her matron of honor. Our son Karl and Andy Clark were born only a few months apart. As our families; Grandma and Pop Pop Beck, the Clarks and the Helms lived in the same metropolitan area, there were many family get-togethers. The summer vacations in Dewey, DL, started in the mid-1960’s. When the Clarks moved from DC to 79th St. in Cabin John, the outdoor picnics there, were added to the family outings.

Some 15 years later, Judy & I and Barbara & Ed divorced. Barbara added Reed Martin and I added Fonya Lord to the family. We continued a family and for example, we all often attended Thanksgiving dinners at Grandma Becks.

As I related to the family at Steve Clark’s passing, Barbara called me when Aunt Grace Beck passed in DC. Reed, Steve and I, using Karl’s truck, delivered many pieces of her furniture including the refrigerator, that is still working in my garage to this day, to different family members.

The first time Barbara asked me to meet Reed Martin, and said he was a Banjo player, I blurted out to Reed, “don’t I know you from The Old Fiddler’s Convention in Union Grove, NC”. He blushed and admitted he attended the Convention many times.

Judy, Karl and I took an Easter week vacation for over ten years beginning in the late 1960’s and I by myself for some years after. We would stay with friends on the first Saturday in Salem. NC, and I would go by myself out to Union Grove to attend the Old Fiddlers Convention. One night in the late 1970’s when the organizers were giving out the winner awards, they made a big deal about a new person, who was not from the old Blue Grass families or a known banjo player, but who walked in, displayed his skills, and won the “Best Banjo” award. Again, they made a big deal about a walk-in “Reed Martin” from Silver Spring, MD, who wasn’t a regular musician but was a parking meter coin collector. The next few years the organizers mentioned Reed Martin attended but didn’t want to compete, some years he was a judge. Then on the tenth year, Reed decided to compete and the organizers made even a bigger deal about Reed winning ten years ago as a walk-in and now competing for a second time, and again winning (perhaps it was an honorary) “Best Banjo.” By then, Reed was a member of the family and I met with him after the award.

Walking from the Clark/Martin home on 79th St. to the C&O Canal in the 1970’s, I often admired a stone, todur style home, that Fonya and I purchased in 1988 just before our wedding. We had our reception on our front lawn, and Reed and Matt provided the music. One of the honored guests at our reception was Grandma Beck. For the next 21 years, Barbara, Reed and Fonya & I was not only family but neighbors. Often, Reed would stop by when walking or biking along the Canal. We borrowed tools from each other—it was usually me borrowing Reed’s tools! We biked together and using one of Reed’s kayaks we would participate in the annual Potomac River rapids run that would take place up-river from Cabin John.

I am glad the family is highlighting Reed’s contributions to banjo playing and blue-grass music. Also, his mechanical skills were profound and his collections were noteworthy.

I married into the Beck family in 1962. My wife Judy had her sister Barbara Clark as her matron of honor. Our son Karl and Andy Clark were born only a few months apart. As our families; Grandma and Pop Pop Beck, the Clarks and the Helms lived in the same metropolitan area, there were many family get-togethers. The summer vacations in Dewey, DL, started in the mid-1960’s. When the Clarks moved from DC to 79th St. in Cabin John, the outdoor picnics there, were added to the family outings.

Some 15 years later, Judy & I and Barbara & Ed divorced. Barbara added Reed Martin and I added Fonya Lord to the family. We continued a family and for example, we all often attended Thanksgiving dinners at Grandma Becks.

As I related to the family at Steve Clark’s passing, Barbara called me when Aunt Grace Beck passed in DC. Reed, Steve and I, using Karl’s truck, delivered many pieces of her furniture including the refrigerator, that is still working in my garage to this day, to different family members.

The first time Barbara asked me to meet Reed Martin, and said he was a Banjo player, I blurted out to Reed, “don’t I know you from The Old Fiddler’s Convention in Union Grove, NC”. He blushed and admitted he attended the Convention many times.

Judy, Karl and I took an Easter week vacation for over ten years beginning in the late 1960’s and I by myself for some years after. We would stay with friends on the first Saturday in Salem. NC, and I would go by myself out to Union Grove to attend the Old Fiddlers Convention. One night in the late 1970’s when the organizers were giving out the winner awards, they made a big deal about a new person, who was not from the old Blue Grass families or a known banjo player, but who walked in, displayed his skills, and won the “Best Banjo” award. Again, they made a big deal about a walk-in “Reed Martin” from Silver Spring, MD, who wasn’t a regular musician but was a parking meter coin collector. The next few years the organizers mentioned Reed Martin attended but didn’t want to compete, some years he was a judge. Then on the tenth year, Reed decided to compete and the organizers made even a bigger deal about Reed winning ten years ago as a walk-in and now competing for a second time, and again winning (perhaps it was an honorary) “Best Banjo.” By then, Reed was a member of the family and I met with him after the award.

Walking from the Clark/Martin home on 79th St. to the C&O Canal in the 1970’s, I often admired a stone, todur style home, that Fonya and I purchased in 1988 just before our wedding. We had our reception on our front lawn, and Reed and Matt provided the music. One of the honored guests at our reception was Grandma Beck. For the next 21 years, Barbara, Reed and Fonya & I was not only family but neighbors. Often, Reed would stop by when walking or biking along the Canal. We borrowed tools from each other—it was usually me borrowing Reed’s tools! We biked together and using one of Reed’s kayaks we would participate in the annual Potomac River rapids run that would take place up-river from Cabin John.

I am glad the family is highlighting Reed’s contributions to banjo playing and blue-grass music. Also, his mechanical skills were profound and his collections were noteworthy.

Dear Uncle Reed,

We’ve never forgotten your kindness, your acceptance without question.

We enjoyed the wonderful conversations and the memories you shared about your life, and teaching us a few chords on the banjo.

You’re always in our hearts, and lovingly cherish the memories.

You’re so very deeply missed.

Play on, Sir.