Wallace Edward English

Wallace Edward English Wallace Edward English, known to all as Ed, passed away in his sleep in San Luis Obispo on December 4, 2018 after a short cardiac illness. He was 93. Ed was born in Westwood California in 1925. Ed served in the Royal Canadian Air Force starting in 1942 as a Wireless Aerial Gunner flying combat missions in Avro Lancasters. He then joined the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in 1948, one of a few having the right to wear Canadian Wings on his USAF uniform. He completed USAF Officer Candidate School 49B in 1949 earning the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He Retired in 1968 from USAF Strategic Air Command as Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years. Ed attended California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo receiving a BS in Industrial Technology and an MS in Education. Ed taught IT at Cal Poly for five years. He was then Division Chairman for the Cuesta College San Luis Obispo Engineering and Technology Division for 23 years. Most of thattime he was an electronics teacher, the position he cherished the most. He retired from Cuesta in 1995 though he continued part time as Faculty Emeritus. Ed was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Audrey June English (McKenzie). He is survived by daughter Patricia Reimann, son Gary English, grandsons Edward English and Andrew English. Ed was from a large family including siblings Lawrence, Robert, Lenora, Barbara, Beatrice, Florence, Anthony, Beverly, Jacquelyn, Rosalie, Brian and Cameron. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Audrey J. English Memorial Endowment (Cuesta College) providing scholarship support for Nursing Students PO Box 8106, San Luis Obispo, CA 93403; or online athttps://www.cuesta.edu/or The Boy Scouts of America Los Padres Councilhttps://www.lpcbsa.org/or a charity of your choice in the name of W.E. English. Ed was very active with many interests and many collaborations and many friends. He was deeply involved in genealogical research. Ed was an Amateur Radio Operator with the call sign W6WYQ. He started with a keen interest in Crystal radios at about age 10 and joined the Amateur Radio Relay League in 1947. He was a frequent operator using Morse Code on the High Frequency bands. He performed antenna research and development including pioneering work with the Directional Discontinuity Ring Radiator with papers published in both QST and 73 Magazine. He was a close friend with Clifford Buttschard and the two helped found the Cal Poly CubeSat program and helped establish the satellite laboratory there. He was an avid automobile historian and collector of a variety of antique automobiles. Ed was a member of many organizations including The American Legion, the Native Sons of the Golden West and the 902 Wing Royal Canadian Association. He was keen with photography, astronomy, gardening, hiking and very much with fishing. He was generous donor to many causes, especially those benefiting youth. A celebratory wake is planned at the IOOF, 520 Dana St, San Luis Obispo; on Friday December 28, from 5 PM-9 PM. Attendees should be prepared to share their favorite Ed stories. Services and burial will take place at Wheeler-Smith, 2890 S. Higuera, San Luis Obispo, at 10 AM Saturday, December 29. .