Dr. Floyd Leroy English

1934 - 2017

DR. FLOYD LEROY ENGLISH Dr. Floyd Leroy English, 82, passed away Thursday, May 25, 2017 in the company of his beloved wife at their home overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island, TX. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Ewell English; his son Darryl (m. Lisa); daughters Roxane (m. Thomas) and Christine (m. Jason); grandchildren Logan, Evan, Christopher and Quentin; great-grandchildren Aaron and Jill; and many dear friends. Floyd was born to the late Elvan and Louise English on June 10th, 1934 in Nicolaus, CA, the elder brother of Robert. He spent his youth in Chico, California, and after training officers in the US Army during the Korean War, he returned and became the first graduate of the physics program at Chico State University. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in physics from Arizona State University. He turned his passion and acumen for physics into a successful career, becoming a key figure at Andrew Corporation in Orland Park, Illinois. He served for over 20 years as President, CEO and Chairman at Andrew and greatly impacted the lives of those he worked with. He was an active and beloved member of the community at First Presbyterian Church in both Palos Park, IL and LaGrange, IL. He was a pilot who thoroughly enjoyed weekend flights in his Pitts and Malibu planes from the Brookeridge neighborhood airport in Downers Grove where he lived. Floyd also loved to ski, scuba dive, and sail with his family and friends. Floyd retired in 2004 and spent much of his time enjoying life and loved ones in Park City, UT, Carefree, AZ, and especially South Padre Island, TX. The First United Methodist Church in Port Isabel was a large part of his and Elaine's life in South Padre. The family wishes to express a special thank you to the church and its members for their love and support. Floyd always said that God had been good to him, and Floyd was grateful and generous to the end. Floyd always enjoyed sharing his love of learning, encouraging and supporting each of his children as they also earned advanced degrees. His scientific curiosity lives on beyond his children, through his grandchildren and countless others. For the last 22 years with the help of the Aileen S. Andrew Foundation, he proudly supported the Floyd L. English Natural Sciences Scholarship for students at CSU, Chico which continues to aid students who share his passion for the sciences. A Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held for Floyd English on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Chico Cemetery, 881 Mangrove Ave. A reception will follow at the Chico Event Center, 197 East 2nd & Wall Street. Memorial donations may be given to the Floyd L English scholarship fund at CSU, Chico. Scholarship donations should be made out to: CSU, Chico University Foundation with a memo stating Floyd L. English Natural Sciences Scholarship Endowment #08537 and mailed to: Chico State Fund, California State University, Chico, 400 W. First Street, Chico, CA 95929-0999.