Edward Bigelow Obituary

Edward Burr Bigelow Of Ha`iku, Maui and Palo Alto, Calif. died on August 11 at his California home. Bigelow was born in Chicago on May 21, 1937, and moved to the Bay Area with his family in the 1940s. A graduate of Indiana's Purdue University, he traveled widely and served as an apprentice photographer in Munich before developing a successful career as a freelance photographer in the Bay Area, where he worked for Sunset Books and numerous Silicon Valley companies. Bigelow's interest in energy conservation led to his appointment as Deputy Director of Pennsylvania's Energy Council in the 1980s. In later years Bigelow became a professional computer consultant, and computer guru for family and friends. He was a highly accomplished fine art photographer and digital artist, his work culminating in the 2009 release of David Park, Painter: Nothing Held Back, the story written by Helen Park Bigelow with photographs and remastered images of Park's paintings done by Ed Bigelow. Through his lifelong love of music and language Bigelow discovered Hawaiian slack key guitar. He was instrumental in the inception of the annual George Kahumoku, Jr.'s Slack Key Guitar & `Ukulele Workshop on Maui. Ed and his wife Helen were deeply involved with Hawai`i for many years and made Maui their permanent home in 2005, until his illness forced them to return to Palo Alto in 2009. Bigelow continued to play `ukulele into the last weeks of his life. In honor of his commitment to perpetuating Hawaiian music, a scholarship fund has been established to help young Island musicians attend the Kahumoku slack key workshop. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Ed Bigelow Slack Key Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1016, Ha`iku, Maui, HI 96708. Ed is survived by his wife Helen, his daughters Terry Tobey and Kathryn Wilder of Ha`iku, Maui and Peg Pierce of Corralitos, Calif., and four grandchildren.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Aug. 22, 2010.
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Ed and I shared an interest in photography. I thought Ed's best photo was of garbage cans. It has strong diagonal shadows and taught me a lesson that I've never forgotten. That is that light and shadows are often more important in a black and white photo than the subject matter.
Thank you for that lesson Ed.

Alan Adler

Friend

October 18, 2023

I met Ed and his wife Helen at a George Kahumoku concert and a friendship developed. Before very many years had passed our friendship deepened and before long we were neighbors in Haiku and he was a board member of my technology company and an also an environmental nonprofit we started on Maui that webcast live whale songs from a buoy and worked to support the Hawaiian culture we shared a love for. Ed had a big heart and beautiful mind and he was an avid researcher who knew a lot about what was happening all over the planet. I love all of those things about him and I also appreciated that he was a good listener and friend and confidant who would always thoughtfully respond to help others. If you had a problem or a concern or a question he would often do research and surprise you with answers next time you saw him. I loved running into him and Helen at Home Depot or the book store and eventually we found ourselves on the same cul de sac. Our lives both spanned the world between Maui and the Bay Area so our paths crossed in many ways and places. We were both passionate about Hawaiian music. George Kahumoku brought us together and when I see George he often plays Ed`s favorites - particular Waiulu and Pu`uanahulu. It`s hard to hold back tears. Anyone who has had a friend like Ed knows how lucky they are and how much they are missed when they leave us. Still in my heart Ed. Bless you Ed. I love you infinitely. Helen you too.

Dan Sythe

Friend

August 18, 2023

I have only heard this news. Fond memories arise from Ed traveling as adventurous companions traveling together through Mexico, centra and South America during the sixties. My condolences to Helen and children. In my heart, Ed will never be forgotten.

Charles Washington

March 19, 2015

Miss you every day, Ed.

Dan Sythe

October 12, 2013

Remembering you every day, Ed, now from Dolores, Colorado. Pretty close to Farmington, yeah? I know you're smiling up there....

Kathryn Wilder

January 18, 2013

The passing of our friend and fellow musician saddened us here on Maui . . . Whenever we got together on our saturday ritual of playing slack key guitar at Waihe`e, Ed was always an eager participant. We are certainly going to miss his humor and gentle personality . . . and of course, his mellow slackey playing. . . Rest in Peace our brother, but not for long . . . I bet you're gonna be tagged to do your slackey sounds at the Lu`au in the sky! Tell our pop and uncles hi for us!

Aloha ke Akua, with Aloha,
SHELDON & KEVIN BROWN

Sheldon & Kevin BROWN

January 8, 2011

Ed was such a talented and generous friend. His warm smile, great laugh and the love he showed Helen and his friends was a gift. I remember so many TGIF events at Lars and Lorraine's house and all the years of writing workshops at LaPara. Ed's spirit will live on in music, photography, art, all the creative endeavors he supported. Love, Anne Telford

Anne Telford

August 24, 2010

Nicely written and a lovely tribute to Ed!

Deb Seymour

August 23, 2010

August 22, 2010

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