Saratoga, CA

Edward passed away at the age of 94 at the Saratoga Retirement Community, where he resided for the past 20 years. His life journey began nearby as the son of a prune farming family in Morgan Hill, California.

Throughout his life Ed retained a fondness for his hometown and frequently visited family members there, even when he resided far away. His last visit to Morgan Hill was less than three weeks before his passing, when he toured his grandparent’s family home, now a museum, and enjoyed viewing photographs of his forbearers Education, music and a brilliant career in research were his life endeavors. He graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Chemistry and ultimately earned a PhD. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His first job at Merck Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey began a distinguished career in cancer research and development of chemotherapy agents. During that time, he recalled living in a New Jersey rooming house and finding the train to Manhattan that opened a wonderful world of music, opera and dining. His career moved him to notable institutions, including SRI in Palo Alto, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. Upon retirement, Ed remained for years at his home in Menlo Park, California and enjoyed an active social life, choir membership at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto and staying in touch with colleagues and family. He got around, as in sometimes quietly decamping to the Hilton Hotel Midtown, New York City, for Christmas holidays, concerts, or aweek of opera. Or traveling to Quebec City to advise on the construction of anew pipe organ he donated to his church. Or joining his various cousins for traditional holidays in Morgan Hill, but also on cruises to Alaska, the Amazon River, Mexico and a winter trip to Yosemite.

Visits with his English cousins took him to classic European destinations, where he enjoyed art, opera, espresso with three sugars, and chocolate desserts in every country from Budapest to London. He was a man of faith and could sing many hymns from memory at church services.

As he aged and his memory and mobility declined, he continued to appreciate hearing conversation and music around him. He will be missed by friends and family and remembered as an engaging and principled gentleman.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, May 9, 2025, at the First Congregational Church of Palo Alto on 1985 Louis Road. All are welcome to join in remembering Ed.