While with the US State Department, Reece served six years in Washington, D.C., and 15 years in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde, the Soviet Union and Guyana. Since retirement he has done historical research and writing. He also has performed volunteer work, including broadcasting for the Radio Reading Service of WUSF-FM, being a Hillsborough County poll worker, and, from 2003-2009, serving on the board of Advisors for the Foreign Service Retirees Association of Florida.