Edward G. Nilges -- 11/9/49 – 12/13/13
Born in Boston, he graduated from Roosevelt University, Chicago. For most of his life he was a computer programmer: at Roosevelt, where he was a pioneer of computer-programming education, at Bell Northern Research and Princeton University's computer center. At Princeton, he worked on a program with mathematician John Nash (his name is indexed in the biography, A Beautiful Mind). Eventually, he became a teacher in the English-language schools of Hong Kong.
Shakespearean scholar, philosopher, poet, author and painter, through "Spinoza's Blog" and Facebook he shared thoughts on philosophy, literature, art, politics, and his final illness, a protracted battle with metastatic prostate cancer, which he fought with exercise and intellectual engagement.
Survived by son Peter; brothers Richard and Joseph; sisters Laura Marland and Mary Smith; grandchildren Tessa and Esmé, ex-wife Darlene Nilges. Predeceased by son Edward Arthur; parents Jean and Dr. Richard G. Nilges.
Per his wishes, he will be cremated; a celebration of his life in Hong Kong is planned.
The family wishes to thank his many friends for their help, especially Barry O'Rorke, and excellent staff at Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong, for their care. Edward appreciated you all so much.
You are a beautiful spirit; as in life, when you touched us all with your brilliance and your devotion to your life and to all of us. I am so blessed to have been your little sister! I know in my heart that you are making Heaven a more wonderful place. Love you always, Ed.
April 27, 2015
Dear Ed,
I think of you often and miss your conversation. Bizarre, colourful - like your art. Thank you for tolerating minds less brilliant.
Liz
Liz Gower
April 26, 2015 | Hong Kong
RIP Ed. You enriched this World with your wonderful writing!
Vera Dinic
January 07, 2014 | Brisbane
Oh Ed,
Though we only meet a few times, our blood was thick. I knew you were connected to Uncle Ed and that we both shared brother fathers that were domineering and Physicians. I followed your blog from a distance…noting your love of knowledge , dance and art.
Your father reached out to me when my father became sick.
Your mother reached out to me when I was homeless.
I will always remember the night, all those Christmases ago when you tried to explain what a Moebius strip...
December 24, 2013
Ed, As your older brother, we were very different, but close most of our lives. You read Shakespeare, I read history. You programmed computers, I drove trucks. I am sorry, in the end, our lives got so far apart, but it happens. Even though we are all different souls, you, Mom and Dad are all together now somewhere, wherever that may be. Rest in peace, brother, I will never forget you.
Rick Nilges
December 22, 2013 | Mokena, IL
My brother, Edward Nilges, was a passionate and intellectual person. However, in the end, he will be most remembered for his memoirs detailing his
fight with cancer. He fought for life and gave it his best. His blog and Facebook detailing his daily battle really show his passion in the face of
great pain. I told him once that I always thought he would outlive all of us. Although I am wrong, I know he will live forever in the hearts of many.
Love, Mary, Allen & Jeffrey Smith
Mary Smith
December 21, 2013 | Grand Rivers, KY
You are going to be so missed lovely prof, it's been great knowing you xx
Clare Wilmott
December 18, 2013 | U.K
"When a man dies, it is like a library burned." I Don't remember who said this, but it certainly applies to Ed, who was the most erudite, well read person I have ever met.
I first met him in 1973 when we were both working in IT at Northwestern University. I instantly knew that this guy was going to be a friend for life - and he was.
After thrashing around in a number of jobs, Ed found his true niche in Hong Kong as a teacher. He was superb. A font of knowledge always worn...
December 16, 2013
My brother, Edward Nilges, at about age 7;
EDWARD GEORGE NILGES
Born, November 9, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts
Died, December 13, 2013, in Hong Kong
Edward Nilges died peacefully, after a long battle with cancer, in the early hours of December 13, 2013.
Edward was a graduate of Roosevelt University, a pioneer of computer-programming education, and an employee at Bell Northern Research and at Princeton University's computer center. At Princeton, he studied Political Philosophy and worked on a program with the...
Laura Marland
December 16, 2013 | West Lafayette, IN
