Edward D. Royce

I like to state a poem by Albert Pike: "What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal". What Mr. Royce, Sr. has done for others and the field of Water Resources remains and is immortal.

I am forever indebted to Ed. Royce, Sr., with the help of his son, Congressman Ed Royce, Jr., for the opportunity to meet the esteemed WWII veteran who was at the Dachau concentration camp and shared his story and photos for use in my teaching at Orange High School. Although I now teach at El Modena HS, I still share his first hand account which he spoke personally of to my students at OHS circa 2008, and which I still share with student today and for the rest of my teaching career!
I will miss him dearly, BUT will he will live in my and in his stories that continue on for generations through my students.
Gratefully,
John Haug

It is impossible for me to think of Uncle Bill without also remembering how happy he made my dad - over the moon, kids at Disneyland for the first time, no one else mattered, kind of happy! In fact, when the two of them were together, they lit up the room with a contagious joy that everyone immediately noticed and felt, enveloping each other in their own little world. My dad was insanely proud of his little brother. Even with a thousand miles between them, Jack and Bill were soulmates through and through.

Uncle Bill was the thrifty, calm, reasoned, somewhat disorganized nutty professor - dad his emotional and hot tempered, regimented yet thoughtful foil. Watching the two of them get ready for a family outing was always a riot. I remember watching Uncle Bill tossing random things from his overstuffed garage into the back of the old Rambler in preparation for a beach day, while Dad ran around playing interference, trying to organize and sort the necessary from the ridiculous.

When we were young, Uncle Bill's house was my favorite family visit. While the kids matched up with our cousins, Dad and Uncle Bill, and often Grandpa Royce, rarely left each other's sides, discussing current events, telling jokes and sharing old stories. Inevitably, they'd land on something so hysterically funny to each other that they could barely speak, rolling in painful, tearful laughter that went on and on until complete exhaustion set in. Eventually, we'd all be consumed by the same silly hysteria, whether we knew what they were laughing about or not.

I will always remember Uncle Bill for his insatiable curiosity. An eternal scholar, his hunger and appreciation for knowledge never waned. Blessing or curse, I think we both inherited this from his dad, my Grandpa Royce. What set Uncle Bill apart, however, was a clear understanding that with knowledge comes responsibility. He applied what he learned reasonably and fairly, even if it challenged his own pre-conceived notions or sensibilities. Thus, Uncle Bill could at once be annoyed by the environmentalist, while joining his or her cause. He rarely made an uneducated decision, significant at a time when we conveniently and foolishly dismiss vast and incredible stores of knowledge amassed over centuries for selfish, short term expediency.

Finally, Uncle Bill was an exceedingly happy guy! Despite witnessing the absolute horrors of the battlefield and aftermath of WWII, and the excruciating loss of two beloved children, he greeted each day with a level of eager optimism that most of us could only hope to muster. He didn't sit back after retirement; he put his optimism and quest for knowledge to work and embarked on a second career in public service until age required his retirement. His was a fun-loving, exceedingly productive and honorable life we can all e proud of and look up to as an example to follow. And, we can rest easy knowing that he enjoyed the opportunity and made the most of this fascinating journey we call life.
Thank you, Uncle Bill. Rest in peace.

This man could wield a light with his smile and that twinkle in his eye. Positive, funny and quite the storyteller. I vividly remember being in the car as a passenger while he was drivinga Mister Toad's wild ride that makes me laugh still! A great spirit and a good man. Make room for Ed up there and step aside.
With love and condolences to his dear family and friends,
Irene Klein

Michael and I are terribly saddened to learn of the death of our dear friend Ed Royce, Sr. We treasure and honor the beautiful memory of Ed Royce, Sr. Congressman Ed Royce along with his loving dad Ed always welcomed us in the Republican Party. Please accept our most sincere condolences for your loss.

Our thoughts and prayers,

Carole and Michael Wade
Newport Beach, California

Please know our loving thoughts and deepest sympathy are with you during this time of sorrow.

With Love Always,

Dryden, Laila, and Sarah Pence.

Mr. Royce SR: Your soul is in comfort because you have left a wonderful son like Congressman Royce and a wonderful daughter like Jennifer on this earth. Being a River Engineer I have worked with you for many years. One time I told you: "Knowing your brilliancy I am not surprised for you to have a brilliant so like Congressman Royce "The poem by Albert Pike describes you very well. That poem is: "What we have done for ourselves dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal"What you have done as a mayor and water professional remains and is immortal.

May all of the family be comforted by the Lord at this time. I am so thankful to Christ that Edward accepted the Lord as his personal savior prior to passing. May his loss be heaven's gain.