December 1, 1958 – December 16, 2003
On December 16, 2003, ARMA Chicago lost a dear friend and colleague, Ed Edgington. Ed passed away suddenly after a brief but serious illness. Although he was an intensely private person, Ed had many interests and passions, which included his work in the RIM industry, gardening, gourmet cooking, all things academic and his deep love for his family.
Ed grew up on a dairy farm in Cobb, WI a small town just outside of Madison. The farm has been in the family for several generations, and is currently operated by Ed’s brother Mark and his wife Sue. Ed’s mother Marietta still lives on the farm, and recalled how Ed had over 100 orchids in his Lincoln Park condo, and knew the Latin name of every one of them. On his visits home, he raided the gardens to bring plants back home to cultivate.
Ed’s love for botany can be traced back to his childhood when he and his siblings would work all summer long at the famous Madison Farmer’s Market selling their home-grown produce. Madison’s farmer’s market has a vendor waiting list of years, but the Edgingtons were lucky enough to have sold a heifer years earlier to the man who developed the market. When the family was offered an opportunity to get in on the ground floor, they seized it. Marietta recalled how “the kids sold fruits and vegetables in booth #4, while we sold jams and jellies a few booths down in #8.”
Ed graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville with a teaching degree. He began his career as an Agriculture teacher, but became disenchanted with “kids who weren’t there to learn.” He moved to Chicago and launched his career in Records Management, working first for a bank, then several law firms, until his most recent position as Records Manager for the architectural firm Skidmore, Owens, and Merrill. Throughout his career, Ed prided himself on delivering results by streamlining operations and improving inefficient records operations. His quiet, private demeanor belied the fact that he was highly motivated and results-oriented.
Ed was reluctant to burden others with the news of his illness. As a result, most of us were unaware and were greatly saddened to learn of his passing. He was a much loved son, brother, uncle and friend who leaves behind his mother Marietta, brother Mark (wife Sue), sister Lori, and brother John (wife Erin). He has been laid to rest next to his father Wayne who passed away September 26, 2003 and his brother Michael who passed away in 1971 at age 14. Ed’s quiet dignity and friendship will be missed greatly.
Recollection contributed by Barbara Dalton.
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