Edward Lee Gaiser, 74, died at home in the arms of his loving wife on Thursday, March 20, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on February 28, 1940, in Glendale, CA.

Ed graduated from Cal Poly SLO in 1962. After graduation, he and his father, Floyd Gaiser, founded Gaiser Tool and Engineering Co. in Santa Ana, CA. In 1963, they purchased an EDM machine and Ed developed a method to make the smallest hole ever produced at that time, approximately one twelfth the size of a human hair.

His two brothers joined the company in 1968-69. The company's name changed to Gaiser Tool Company and together they worked for 32 years growing the company into a world industry leader in semiconductor bonding tools.

Ed was an inventor and mechanical genius. He developed manufacturing processes and machines to fulfill needs to grow the company. Those machines and processes are still used today in supplying the world bonding tool industry.

Ed met the love of his life, Eileen F. Drozd, in 1967 in Tustin, CA. They married in June of 1974.He and Eileen sailed their sailing vessel "Dolphin" six months at a time exploring the beautiful west coast of Mexico. It was in Mexico that Ed mastered the sport of wind surfing. In 1987, they made the big right hand turn from the coast of Mexico to the South Pacific for a three and a half year journey that ended in Australia. They sailed to the Marquesas Islands, Cook Islands, New Zealand, and Fiji, continuing west to Australia. Their next port of call was the East Coast of the United States. Ed and Eileen sailed down the inland waterway from Philadelphia to Florida and out to the Caribbean for another year of their sailing odyssey. "Dolphin" flew the flags of 17 different countries during this adventure.

Ed enjoyed saltwater fishing, boating, skiing, sailing, motorcycle touring, and wind surfing. He loved playing golf and was a member of the Saticoy Country Club for 20 years. He made many friends while there and will be greatly missed.

Ed took great pleasure in riding highway motorcycles throughout his life. In early 2000, he, Eileen and brother, Dennis started taking extended rides across Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and up into Canada. The scenery was so spectacular that they decided to start taking motorcycle videos. The beautiful wild flowers in the spring and the autumn leaves of the Aspen trees in the higher elevations are all documented on video.

He had a great sense of humor and always loved to listen to or tell a good joke. Ed loved to talk and tell stories of his life experiences. He loved to "fix" things and would explain how to fix anything. He was generous and never had a bad word to say about anyone. Ed will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen Frances Gaiser; brothers, Gary and his partner, Rick Mantel and Dennis and wife, Joan; sister-in-law Sharon; nephews, James, John, Steven, and Matthew; niece, Julie Levy; grandnephews, Alex and Thomas; grandnieces, Sabrina, Olivia, Alyssa, Trinity, and Taylor.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Saticoy Country Club, 4450 North Clubhouse Drive, Somis on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Ed's ashes will be spread upon the ocean he sailed so comfortably, for so long, as he requested.

A special thanks to Dr. Tom Fogel for the loving attention he provided Ed. Livingston Caregivers and Hospice, you are appreciated beyond words.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Livingston Caregivers or Livingston Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Ventura County Star from Mar. 27 to Mar. 30, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Gaiser

17 Entries

Tom Rayburn

April 14, 2014

13 April 2014
Eileen,
Thank you for the memorial you organized for Ed yesterday. I could certainly tell after speakers from family, Gaiser Tool friends, and golf friends: we were certainly all talking about the same lovely, wonderful, consistent, thoughtful, funny man. After reading Doug Paxton's email, Judie and I just sat back and absorbed the joy of all the speakers referencing Ed.
I will often remember saying to Ed on the 16th hole at SCC, "Ed, are you thirsty?" He would respond, "Tom, I've been thinking about it for the last hour and a half!" And someone would probably say, "Where is Geneva when we really need her?" I will remember his friendship fondly and only regret we didn't get to spend much more time together over the 17 years we knew one another.
Tom Rayburn

April 13, 2014

Spent 2 years at the Kappa Chi house with Ed as a fraternity brother. But he was more than a brother; a good friend. And he often made reunions of the Collegian Dance band in SLO held every August. He will be missed.
Harold Hinkle

Brigitte Kiba

April 10, 2014

I have been a Gaiser Rep for the last 33 years and met Ed several times. He was a kind and delightful man and I know he is at peace and healed. His family is in my prayers.

Gary & Portia Jones

April 4, 2014

We are heartbroken about the loss of our dear friend Ed. We first met Ed and Eileen in 1995 in Tahiti. We were the musicians on the Wind Song ship.
We had an instant bond with them and went on to sail many oceans and seas with them over several years.
We had the great fortune to witness the last space shuttle launch with Ed and Eileen in Cape Canaveral Fl. It was on Ed's bucket list.
Happily we were able to visit them last September in Ventura at their lovely home.
Ed left some big shoes to fill.
Everytime we look at the stars we know Ed is up there playing golf, sailing the heavenly seas or working on some way to make the universe a better place.

April 3, 2014

I had many laughs and crazy times with Ed during our years at Cal Poly. He and my husband, Bruce, were roommates. We stayed in touch & were so happy when he met and married Eileen. They were truly meant for each other. He will be missed, but I'm sure he and Bruce are playing music and pranks in heaven.
Joan (Allan) Looman... Calabasas, CA.

Loyce Blaszak

April 1, 2014

He will always be in our hearts and greatly missed.

Neva M. Ziegler

March 30, 2014

L*O*V*E to the entire Gaiser family, especially Eileen... who has lost her soul mate. I worked for Gaiser Tool Co. for 15 years and especially loved hearing Ed's stories at the Christmas Parties and company picnics. Was fortunate enough to enjoy Ed and Eileen's amazing parties at their gorgeous home in the Ventura Keys! Ed will be missed, raising a glass to him...xo

Linda White

March 29, 2014

Gary, Dennis and the rest of the Gaiser family: I was sad to read about Ed's passing. I know he will be greatly missed, but it sounds like he had a great life and did it "his way". You are all in my thougts and prayers.

Chuck Stefanetti

March 28, 2014

Ed was a great friend and KX fraternity brother at Cal Poly. We had many great times together while we were in school. He was a great supporter of the Collegians Big Band of which many of the band members were also KX brothers. Afterwards when the Collegians started having reunions in San Luis Obispo he and Eileen were regular attendees. Although we haven't seen him in recent years we are so sorry to see him go and will continue to miss him.

Jim Bugaj

March 28, 2014

Ed had already 'retired' by the time I began working at Gaiser Tool. However, he paid many visits afterwards, and I got to know. He had a genuine way about him that made you feel at ease whether he was talking shop or cracking a joke. He will be greatly missed.

Melinda Waldron

March 27, 2014

Most inspirational and down to earth man I have had the pleasure of knowing. I am thrilled he was able to spend his life with his soulmate. The two sailed many oceans together. Thank you both for making the world better.

Barry Moore

March 27, 2014

I met Ed & Eileen in 1977 and was lucky enough to represent them in the purchase of a beautiful lot in the Ventura Keys.
They later built their dream home and kept their sail boat at their own dock.
Through the years I called them friends and will always remember Ed's kind gentle spirit.
I always looked forward to hearing their fantastic and adventurous stories
from around the world.
I don't remember being with two people that were so content and happy to be with one another.
May the peace of the Lord be with you Ed ...

Doug Paxton

March 27, 2014

I had the pleasure of knowing Ed for 15 year. Those were great years as Ed was one of the really enjoyable and pleasant people. Only positive thoughts come to mind and that says a great deal about a person. Golf and life will never be the same but his memory will serve as a treasure trove of the best. Thank you for being such a memorable and good friend.

Debra Pierpoint

March 27, 2014

My condolences to the entire Gaiser Family. I had the pleasure of working for Gaiser Tool for 24 years with many fond memories of Ed. He always had a smile and interesting story to tell. Sharing a tub of popcorn in the sales office will never be the same. He will be greatly missed.

Sol Chooljian

March 27, 2014

We did not have the pleasure of knowing Edward Gaiser however we consider members of his family as friends and after reading about his life and accomplishments we conclude that he is a member of a truly remarkable family that has contributed so much to our city and nation. We send our condolences to his family and friends , honoring the life of a unique man.
Laura McAvoy and Sol Chooljian

March 27, 2014

So sorry to hear this news.
A true LEGEND of our time!!

Roy Ames

March 26, 2014

I am extremely sorry to hear this. I had the opportunity to work for Gaiser Tool and to know Ed Gaiser. As a mechanical engineer, I greatly admired his designs. I also got to have a few beers with him and Dennis and others at the company after work sometimes and he was great fun to be around. He will always be held in my highest respect and admiration.

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