Long-time Melville Jessup Weaver (MJW) principal and influential member of the NZ actuarial profession, Bernard Reid, died last week “unexpectedly but peacefully”, according to a brief obituary.
Reid was well-known in the local superannuation and investment sector, providing advice to many schemes over the last few decades both at MJW and in his previous 14-year stint with Watson Wyatt NZ (later Mercer) as retirement consulting national practice leader.
In a note, the NZ Society of Actuaries (NZSA) paid tribute to Reid for his outstanding contribution to the “New Zealand actuarial profession which included drafting professional standards and liaising with regulators”.
“He was a member of the Government-appointed Savings Product Working Group in 2004 that led to the development of KiwiSaver,” the NZSA memorial says.
Reid also “took a keen interest in sport”, competing nationally in the triple jump as a youth as well as playing rugby, cricket and, more recently, tennis.
“A superb conversationalist, he could talk knowledgeably on a wide variety of topics from the sciences and humanities, to sport and music. A defining feature was his laughter and empathetic nature. He will be sorely missed,” the NZSA note says.
“Our thoughts are with Bernard’s family and in particular Gaylene and his three daughters, Hannah, Maddy and Louisa.”
His funeral service was held last Saturday (January 13).
Reid was 61.