DILL, Melville Reese Jr. Of Weston, passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Reese will be remembered for many reasons and by the many, many close friendships that he developed over his lifetime. He will be most remembered as a skilled aviator and as the inventor and innovator of large scale, high-density library storage and retrieval systems. Reese died when his 1944 North American T-6 "Texan" experienced mechanical difficulties and crashed short of the Fitchburg, MA Municipal Airport. Reese was a man of many talents and interests and was beloved by all who knew him and they numbered in the hundreds. He is most remembered for his love of flying and skill as a pilot in numerous aircraft types. He started as a glider pilot in Sugarbush, VT in the early 1960's then moved into powered aircraft. He proceeded through a series of ever more powerful airplanes, culminating in his T-6 "Texan", a WWII fighter trainer. He flew in hundreds of air shows doing aerobatic routines both as a solo performer and as part of formations for millions of people over the years. Reese was a lead member of the "6 of Diamonds" aerobatic squadron; a group of six T-6 pilots who performed at numerous air shows throughout the Northeast. To share his passion, he founded T-6 Rides (www.t6rides.com) which enabled others to experience the thrill of his flying as passengers in the T-6. Reese was a past president (1995-1998) and current director of the Aero Club of New England (ACONE) the oldest aero club in the Americas and also an active member of EAA and the QB's (Quiet Birdmen). Reese was born August 14, 1937 in Cleveland, OH where he attended Hawken School and Western Reserve Academy (Class of 1955). Reese is a 1959 Graduate of Michigan State University, School of Engineering and a member of the Harvard Business School class of 1961 (MBA). Following Harvard, Reese embarked on a career path in engineering and consulting that was defined by creativity and innovation. This was most evident in his company, Dill & Company that revolutionized high-density book storage and retrieval systems. Dill & Company has designed and installed these systems for over 60 large universities around the world, including every Ivy League university. Harvard and Yale each have six Dill & Company designed repositories. Other clients include Oxford University in England, the Library of Congress, Stamford, Duke, every Big 10 School and many other major universities. In addition to his flying accolades, Reese was well known as an avid collector and restorer of vintage automobiles, tractors, fire engines and steam engines. The fleet of vehicles that he has restored over the years is too numerous to count. As with flying, he approached these vehicles with a similar passion and skill as the fellow members of the various vintage vehicle organizations of which he was also a member will attest. Another of Reese's passions was skiing which he did throughout his entire life. He skied all over the world, but was probably best known for his runs at Sugarbush in Vermont with his dozens of friends there. Sun Valley, ID and Vail, CO have also seen plenty of Reese Dill and his skiing friends and family. Through all of these passions, Reese was universally loved and respected. Those who had the honor of knowing him were impressed with his knowledge, skill, principles and compassion which was augmented by his unpretentious nature and unfailingly positive attitude. To know Reese was truly an honor. Reese was preceded in death by his parents M. Reese Dill and Gladys Dill of Cleveland, OH. He is survived by his brother and sister in law, Charles Dill, Sr. and Martinna Dill. Nephew Charles Dill, Jr., his wife Cindy and their children, Charlie Dill, III and Louise. Nephew Barney Dill and his wife Carrie and their daughter Reese, and his companion of many years, Geneva Simmons. Reese has endowed a scholarship through the Aero Club of New England. Memorial donations can be made to the Reese Dill Scholarship fund at the Aero Club of New England (www.acone.org). Aero Club of New England, c/o Reese Dill Scholarship Fund, PO Box 183, Boston, MA 02128. Additional memorial services will be held in January, 2011 in Boston. The location and time of this event will be communicated when arrangements have been confirmed.