Edward Zobel

A man of abundant wisdom, Edward Zobel lived to educate and enrich the lives of others. Always polite and pleasant, he had a natural social talent and could relate to people on many different levels. In his lifetime, Ed served his country as a courageous soldier, his community as a respected and admired professor, and his family as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting baseball records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in the Midwest, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their families and earning a living. It was into these surroundings that Edward was born in Manistee, Michigan on October 5, 1921. Because of his father's occupation, Ed spent his childhood living in several different locations throughout the Midwest. One place Ed remembered quite fondly though was Traverse City, because as a child he spent many summers at his grandparents' home, a place that remained dear to his heart. By the time Ed was in high school, the family finally settled in Highland Park, Michigan, where he graduated from Highland Park High School.

After high school, Ed entered junior college for a while before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Though before he left for boot camp, Ed asked a young lady named Faith Dorrance out to a dance. He and Faith knew each other since they were kids because her uncle married his aunt, but Faith didn't like Ed much then, but now older, she saw him in a different light. Soon thereafter, Ed shipped out for overseas to serve his country during World War II as a fighter pilot. During this time, he and Faith regularly corresponded with each other and after his honorable discharge in September of 1945, Ed headed home in hopes of seeing Faith again. The two immediately began dating and their love quickly blossomed. A month after returning home, Ed and Faith were happily married on October 6, 1945.

After marrying, the newlyweds set up house in Ann Arbor, while Ed attended the University of Michigan. After earning his BA and Master's degree in Engineering in 1948, Ed accepted a position at Wayne State University as a Professor of Engineering. In 1951, the couple moved to Washington where Ed taught at Washington State University until 1954. They then moved to Brighton, Michigan and Ed returned to teaching at Wayne State until his retirement in 1986. As an educator, Ed truly loved his work and bore the mark of an admired teacher. He was a very intelligent man and communicated knowledge in a clear and understandable fashion. When grading his students test, he would give an explanation for something that was done incorrectly. Ed knew how to connect with people from all walks of life, particularly in a large group.

Aside from being an excellent professor, Ed was also an extremely proud father of three daughters and grandfather of three granddaughters. He took great pride in their many accomplishments and successes in life, especially academically. When his daughters were younger though, he enjoyed building elaborate playhouses for them out of cardboard in their basement or making scooters out of old roller skate wheels. The holidays were always a special time for the family, especially when Ed led them in singing Christmas carols; he had a marvelous singing voice. His great talents didn't end there, however, he also played the harmonica and organ. Ed came from an artistic family and some of these musical traits were passed on to him, and perhaps on to his own family too.

Ed had a great mind and a constant thirst for knowledge. A voracious reader, he kept a large library of books in his home and was a great conversationalist because of his vast knowledge of subjects. In his leisure time, Ed was an avid golfer and played many times a week for many years. However, in 1990, his good friend and golfing buddy died and his interest in golf waned. In 1995, Ed and Faith moved from Brighton to Traverse City, perhaps because of his many wonderful childhood memories. Unfortunately, in 2000, Ed began having trouble remembering some of these very fond memories. His condition continued to worsen and soon progressed into Alzheimer's disease. A valiant fighter, Ed tried very hard to keep his mind sharp by reading books of all sorts, but his memory continued to fail, frustrating him so. Although Ed will be deeply missed, his legacy of love and dedication leaves his loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Edward Zobel, age 84 of Traverse City, MI, died on Thursday, October 27, 2005, at his home. In addition to his wife, Faith Zobel, members of Ed's family include his daughters: Mary (Sandy) Shoichet of Bloomfield Hills, Faith Rowean of Augusta, and Nancy Zobel of Traverse City; granddaughters: Catherine Shoichet, Jennifer Mason, Anne Bradford; a sister, Natalie (Bill) Wade of Marathon, FL; a cousin, Edgar (Alice) Zobel of Grand Rapids and nieces and nephews.

Learn more about Ed, view his life story film, and visit with his family and friends on Sunday, October 30, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Vicksburg Chapel, where services will be held on Monday, October 31, at 2 p.m. Ed will be buried in Boughton Cemetery. Please visit Ed's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Hospice at Munson Hospital in Traverse City.