By Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com
Lou Reda's desk chair sits empty at his Easton production company. A picture of Reda along with other relics from a long career line the wall behind it. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)
Lou Reda’s chair was empty, though his desk was covered with historic photos.
His office is a large dedicated space in an old Easton church, where the pews have been replaced by his production company's open-concept workplace, video libraries and countless historical items, a lifetime of relics. One wonders what stories they hold.
That’s what Reda did, tell stories.
Soldiers disembark in the Mekong Delta Region of South Vietnam in "Brothers in War," a Vietnam War documentary by Easton-based Lou Reda Productions that will premiered in 2014 on the National Geographic Channel. (File photo)
His hundreds of documentaries have appeared on The History Channel, A&E and the National Geographic Channel, many telling compelling tales of the U.S. at war and those who fought.
(lehighvalleylive.com file photo)
Reda died Saturday at age 92 after a sudden illness. He lived a long and rich life, his family said, in Phillipsburg and Lopatcong Township.
He was a World War II Seabee — the U.S. Navy's construction battalion — and "a self-described "peddler," according to his obituary. He received honorary doctorates from Lafayette College and Centenary University. "Not bad for an eighth-grade education," his son Scott Reda said.
Lou Reda will not return to the office chair, but his work will carry on. Generations of his family continue to create at Lou Reda Productions, which Scott Reda heads.
Lou Reda in 2003 views his documentary on the USO, which includes images of the late Bob Hope. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)
Scott shared with us some of his father’s proudest productions, both his own and his company’s. As family and friends remember the man in a private service Thursday, the rest of us can remember his work.
This Emmy-nominated Vietnam documentary for the National Geographic Channel followed Charlie Company's year of duty in the Mekong Delta with first-person accounts and archival footage. Charlie Sheen narrated. The documentary is available on Netflix.
"Vietnam in HD" (2011)
A six-part History Channel miniseries following the style of 2009’s “WWII in HD,” blending first-person accounts with never-before-seen color footage. It was narrated by Michael C. Hall; among its featured voices were Dean Cain, Glenn Howerton, Armie Hammer and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
"WWII in HD: The Air War" (2010)
An Emmy-nominated follow up to 2009’s “WWII in HD,” this History Channel special follows three airmen and a reporter ahead of D-Day. Voices include Rob Lowe as the narrator, Elijah Wood, Casey Affleck, Sean Astin and Chris O’Donnell.
"WWII in HD" (2009)
This 10-part History Channel miniseries won an Emmy for sound. It was one of the highest-rated series on on the channel when it aired. It features many famous names lending their voices: Gary Sinese narrated, and LL Cool J, Rob Corddry, Amy Smart and Rob Lowe were among others.
"When Cowboys Were King" (2003)
A Telly Award-winning History Channel special maps the history of the Western and its cultural impact, from B-grade movies through ’50s and ‘60s TV.
"The Day the Towers Fell" (2002)
An Emmy-nominated History Channel special featuring first-person stories of 9/11.
"Soldiers in Greasepaint: History of the USO" (2000)
This History Channel special documents 60 years of the United Service Organizations, which aids service members.
"History Undercover: The Doomsday Flu" (1998)
This History Channel special about the flu epidemic of 1918 that killed some 20 million people worldwide was filmed on Spring Garden Street in Easton outside Lou Reda Productions, Scott Reda said.
"Milton Hershey: The Chocolate King" (1995)
This Biography Channel special is still played at hotels and other locations in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Scott Reda said.
John Hammond at the 2010 Grammy Awards. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
"John Hammond: From Bessie Smith to Bruce Springsteen" (1991)
A Peabody Award-winning documentary that looks at the influence of music producer John Hammond in popular music from the 1930s to ‘70s.
"Korea: The Forgotten War" (1987)
A History Channel special narrated by Robert Stack.
"World War II: The War Chronicles" (1983)
This 13-episode TV miniseries narrating campaigns and battles of World War II was funded by a group of local investors.
"The Blue and The Gray" (1982)
This TV miniseries presented events just before and during the Civil War, as seen through the eyes of an artist correspondent. Among the series cast was Gregory Peck as Abraham Lincoln.
George Joseph Kresge, better known as 'The Amazing Kreskin.' (File photo)
"The Amazing World of Kreskin" (1970s)
This show featuring famed mentalist The Amazing Kreskin was Lou Reda’s first big production, syndicated to more than 100 markets before the days of cable.
Some of Lou Reda's proudest works. (Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com)
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Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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