Robert Edwards

1915 - 2013

Robert Edwards
Jan. 28, 1915- Oct. 25, 2013
Longtime resident of San Jose
Robert E. Edwards, passed away on October 25, 2013 at the age of 98. He was born in Key West, Florida, and grew up in Miami. His family also lived for a few years in Havana, Cuba where his father was employed with the US Consular Service.
A few years after he graduated from high school in Miami, he joined the Miami police force and worked on the Vice Squad and later became a detective. It was during that time he married and had a son, Jonathan. When the war started, the local office of the FBI borrowed police officers and Robert was assigned full time to work with them. From there he joined the Navy as an Intelligence Specialist and was stationed in various places, including Alaska and the Panama Canal Zone.
After the war, Robert and his family made their way out to California and Robert began his career in the insurance brokerage business in Mountain View.
He eventually divorced and raised his son through his high school years. Robert's insurance career progressed and he eventually started his own firm in San Jose. In 1966, he met the love of his life, Dorothy, a widow with four sons. They soon married and were together until her death in 2008.
In 1972, he and Chuck Longwello formed the insurance brokerage firm Edwards and Longwello. Over the next eight years, their firm enjoyed great growth, providing insurance services to many expanding Silicon Valley companies. In 1980, they sold the company to a national firm, and Robert retired a few years later.
He was an avid sailor, private pilot, and golfer. He belonged to La Rinconada Country Club for many years and served as President in 1975. He also founded the Mountain View - Los Altos Association of Insurance Agents, and was active with the San Jose Chamber of Commerce, having served on its Board of Directors and as President in 1975.
He is predeceased by his wife Dorothy and son Jonathan. He is survived by two stepsons, Robert White (Jeanne), and Charles White (Judyth), as well as grandchildren Rebecca Wolfe (Greg), Elizabeth Williams (Craig), Jonathan Edwards (Tracy), Dallas White, Connor White and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Robert will always be loved for his great charm, business sense, and devotion to his family.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Valle Monte League, Inc. (www.vallemonte.org). Robert's life will be celebrated with a private memorial dinner.