Pamela & Aaron

Pamela Starke ’77 and Aaron Reed ’76

Pamela and Aaron at prom in 1976

How did you meet? We both were in the band with Mr. Bassett (ASL 1974-96). Aaron played the tympani and I played the oboe.

What was your first impression of each other? (Pamela) I had to leave band early two days a week and was always looking at the clock. Aaron was in the percussion section and always standing in front of the clock, so my first impression was that he was in my way. (Aaron) I was curious.

What was your first date? Seeing All The President’s Men at a movie theater. 

What are your favorite memories from your ASL days? Friday evenings spent with friends at the Western Counties Hotel (now the Sawyers Arms) near Paddington Station. We loved our band trip, playing in the musicals, walking from ASL, through Regent’s Park to Baker Street tube station most afternoons. We’re still in touch with many of our ASL friends.

What is your favorite thing about each other? (Pamela) His sense of adventure and love of travel, his humor and his unfaltering loyalty through any challenges. (Aaron) Her eyes and her sense of humor, and her wonderful friendship for four decades. She’s also a good mum to our three children.

Describe your life today. (Pamela) We married 10 years after we started dating at ASL, a decade which included college and graduate school, and have lived in Northern Virginia since then. As a graduate student in Philadelphia, I would take the train to DC where Aaron was working, and we would meet at a pub near Union Station. That’s where Aaron proposed—over a Guinness at The Dubliner. Our wedding took place in East Aurora, New York, in 1986. Aaron is retired from a career in aviation; I pursued my PhD and am still working in the senior executive service of the federal government overseeing national research programs. We have three grown children: Alexandra, Edward and Abigail. Alexandra is married with two young daughters, and they live near us.

Jon Englund '76 toasts Mr. and Mrs. Starke-Reed at Pamela and Aaron's wedding in 1986

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? Still living in Northern Virginia, though perhaps I will be retired by then. We plan to do a lot of traveling and spend lots of time with family.

Aaron and Pamela today