Dr. Joseph H. Reno, former NAU team physician, died Oct. 29, 2008. He was 93.
Dr. Reno was NAU’s team physician from 1971-1976. He is recognized as one of the pioneers in the sports medicine field and was one of the first orthopaedic surgeons to specialize in sports medicine.
Dr. Reno, known as “Dr. Joe,” was born March 5, 1915, in Allentown, Pa., to Harvey and Olive Mae Wilson Reno. He was a physician in Flagstaff for more than 30 years.
“He was an old-school orthopaedic surgeon,” said George Hershey, who replaced Reno as NAU’s team physician. “I owe many of my common sense techniques to Dr. Reno. He was a great man.”
Dr. Reno is survived by two sisters, Gertrude Petzel and Marian McGinnis, and one sister-in-law, Bonnie Reno, as well as his four children, Sally Jo Elliott, J. David Reno, Diana J. Farber-Reno and Deborah M. Reno, plus five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Condolences can be sent to his family at norvelowensmortuary.com.