Edward Charles Wortz

WORTZ-Edward Charles Wortz, Ph.D., died November 7, 2004 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 74. Born October 28, 1930 in Schenectady, NY, he was raised in San Antonio, TX. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas in 1957 in the field of physiological psychology. His fir st career was as a research scientist working on NASA contracts in the air research industry in Colorado and California. He studied weightlessness, habitability and temperature control for the early astronauts and the first moon landing. He changed careers in mid-life and studied with the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles to become a psychotherapist. He was a charter member of the Biofeedback Society of America. He founded the Neuro-Development Center specializing in treatment of learning disabilitie s for adults and children. As a psychologist and Buddhist, he was one of the first to integrate the two in his practice. With the Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An, he co-founded the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Los Angeles. He was one of the first Americans to be ordained as a Dharma teacher in the Vietnamese Buddhist tradition. He took his Bodhisattva vows. Throughout his career, he led several meditation groups and seminars. He initiated a web site dedicated to Buddhism, his thoughts and writings. H e was involved in the arts and participated in collaborations with artists, among them Robert Irwin, Coy Howard, and James Turrell. He appreciated the artistic mind, and many of his closest friends were artists in various fields. Loving husband, father, and grandfather. Scientist, Buddhist, philosopher, therapist, friend. A sweet, wonderful man, we were sure of his love. He was a great story-teller, and his love of life, curiosity and intellect made his life full and exciting. He was a joy to be with, and t ouched the hearts of everyone he met. He was gentle and respectful of every individual. He balanced and enhanced our lives. He was deeply loved, and will be dearly missed. It was a privilege to have known him and loved him. He was a real jewel to humanity. He is survived by his wife, Karen Comegys-Wortz, his daughters, Margaret Wortz and Kathryn Wortz, his grandchildren, Marissa and Matthew Marchioni, and Richard Graham; Melinda Wortzs daughters: Lisa LaHorgue, Alison Nikitopolous, and Jennifer Wisdom, and grandchildren, Eloise, Joseph, and Thomas LaHorgue, Vaki and Anthony Nikitopolous, Melinda and Abigail Wisdom; his aunt Anna Muncy, his cousin, nieces, nephew, and other family members. A memorial service is scheduled this month. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 800, L.A., CA 90045, or to Cedars-Sinai Hospice Program, 200 N. Robertson Blvd., Suite 102, Beverly Hills, CA 90211. To share a memory of Ed please visit www.dharmafami ly.org. love you Eddie. Be free"