Lisa Susan Ede

1947 - 2021

Lisa Susan Ede

September 9, 1947 - September 29, 2021

September 29, 2021 - 20 days after her 74th birthday - marked the end of renowned teacher-scholar Lisa Ede's life. In the days since her death, tributes and testimonies have flooded the internet, from friends and colleagues across the country (and beyond) who spoke of what Lisa and her work meant to them, of the many acts of kindness, of mentorship, of unflagging support she was so well known for Professor of English Emerita at Oregon State University, Lisa was an influential scholar whose research, recorded in scores of books and articles, was recognized with numerous awards from various writing and rhetoric, literature, and writing center professional associations. Upon her retirement, Oregon State held "Situating Composition: In Honor of Lisa Ede, a symposium devoted to her scholarly work.

A 1965 graduate of Findlay (Ohio) High School, Lisa took one year at Findlay College before transferring to Ohio State University for her B.S. in English Education. She earned her M.A. in English Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and returned to Ohio State to complete her PhD in English Studies in 1975. Her first academic position was at SUNY Brockport, where she taught and administered a writing program until her move to Oregon State in 1980, where she directed the Center for Writing and Learning and continued to flourish as a teacher, researcher, and mentor.

Those who knew Lisa well, knew her to be sincere, generous, and loving. Introduced to nature's wonders by artist Greg Pfarr, her loving husband of forty-seven years, Lisa was an avid outdoors woman with a keen appreciation of our natural world. She was a cookbook hound (later an avid watcher of the food network) and a fantastic, even daring, cook and host. She was also a strong supporter of the arts, of music, dance, and the visual arts. And she was an intensely loyal and always caring partner, in-law, sister, aunt, friend, and colleague.

Predeceased by her parents, Robert B. and Ann Ruffin Ede, and her brothers, Jeff and Brian, Lisa is survived by husband Greg; siblings Leni Ede Smith, Andy Ede, Sara Ede Rowekamp, Robin Ede Bravard, Michele Ede Smith, Lori Ede Harple, Julie Ede Campbell, Rob Ede; and many, many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

Gifts in memory of Lisa may be made to the Ede Writing Faculty Support Fund through the OSU Foundation, 4238 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333. Donations may also be made online at osufoundation.org. Please note "in memory of Lisa Ede" on the memo line or online form. A memorial service will be held in early summer.

Lisa loved her family and friends and colleagues, and she also loved Wendell Berry's poem, "The Peace of Wild Things."

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water,

and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

May Lisa rest in the grace of the world.