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Edwin Austin Gee

Edwin Gee Obituary

Edwin Austin Gee

Edwin Austin Gee, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of International Paper Co., a scientist and executive who helped foster the increasing importance of science in American business in the second half of the 20th century, died September 13, 2013 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Gee served as President, CEO and Chairman of International Paper from 1978-1985, and was responsible for a notable corporate turnaround in that period. This was following a 29-year career at E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., which he joined in 1948 as a metallurgical specialist in titanium, eventually becoming an Executive Vice-President, member of the Executive Committee and a Director of the corporation. Following his retirement from International Paper, Gee served as a director of numerous corporations, including Air Products Co., American Home Products and Bethlehem Steel. He also served as Chairman of OSI Pharmaceutical from 1987-1997. Born February 19, 1920 in Washington, D.C., Gee attended Wilson Teachers College (now University of the District of Columbia), graduated from George Washington University in 1941, earned a Master's Degree from the same school in 1944 and a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1948. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Moravian College in 1982. During World War II and until 1948, Gee was an employee of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and Department of Commerce, becoming Assistant Chief Metallurgist specializing in research on industrial and aerospace uses of titanium.

Gee was appointed in 1973 to the U.S. National Commission on Water Quality under Nelson Rockefeller, and served on advisory boards to U.S. agencies including the Office of Technology Assessment, National Bureau of Standards and National Research Council. He was the co-author of the book "Managing Innovation" on the topic which was the gist of his business career. While employed by the U.S., Gee met Genevieve 'Plum' Riordan, the sister of friend and co-worker Frank Riordan. Gee and Plum Riordan were married on August 26, 1944, part of an abiding love story spanning seven decades. Gee was an official of the YMCA and the vestry of the Episcopal Church in Delaware. He was devoted to tennis and golf, traveled extensively with Plum throughout the U.S. and world and had an intense interest in food and wine. He was named a member of the Chevaliers des Tastevin wine society in France. Gee and his wife were collectors of American arts and crafts including the furniture of George Nakashima, Navajo rugs and Steuben crystal. Blessed with the gift of giving and receiving friendship, Gee made and kept friends from every social circle in which he moved until the very end of his life.

Gee was predeceased by his beloved Rhodesian Ridgeback, Trek. He is survived by Plum Gee; by his three children and their wives, Michael and Alice, William and Joan and David and Michelle; by his six grandchildren, Joshua, Hope, Caroline Prezzano(Douglas), Austin Carey (James), John and Isabella, and by great-grandchildren, Elle and Paige Prezzano and Will Carey. Ed Gee leaves the finest possible legacy to that family and his friends -- innumerable good memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Vicars Landing Scholarship Fund, 1000 Vicars Landing Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082, or Northeast Florida Community Hospice, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257.

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

Published by The News Journal from Sep. 17 to Sep. 18, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Gee

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John F gaynor

July 4, 2022

I met Dr Gee many years ago in Greenwich, CT. Fresh out of college, I was looking for a job. He said he couldn't help me at International Paper, but made a phone call to an executive at another paper company. The company was Bowater and I met Hugh Joyce that same day and was hired. Talk about fifteen minutes of fame. Thank you Dr Gee.

Betty Albertson

October 6, 2013

My sympathy goes out to the family. I have many fond memories of our times together.

Bill Lusby

October 1, 2013

I'll never forget Ed. A dear friend of my father and, he was also my Godfather. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.

September 21, 2013

My sincere condolences to the family for your loss. May your treasured memories and the drawing close to God in prayer help comfort you in your time of sorrow. Jeremiah 29:12,13

Elaine and Hal Gruen

September 19, 2013

We will miss him; his good humor and good sense

Mark and Jean Shaw

September 18, 2013

Dear Mrs. Gee:
Thank you for the honor of caring for Dr. Gee. You both are such wonderful people. Thank you for blessing our lives. May Dr. Gee's memory be eternal.

Sincerely,

Mark and Jean Shaw

BILL PORRARO

September 18, 2013

A WONDERFUL FRIEND AND CONNOISSEUR WHO WILL BE GREATLY MISSED

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To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home - Ponte Vedra Beach

4750 Palm Valley Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

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