Edwin S. Collier

Hard to believe that a year has gone by already. I thought about Ed while recently visiting the Lewis & Clark campus during the annual Alumni Weekend. When we acted together in 1963-65 we mainly performed in an old, transported, Army officers club building with none of the vast accoutrements in the new Fir Acres Theater of today. We did everything by the seats of our pants. Ed was the top male talent in the L&C actors stable, and women adored him.
Though we weren't the closest of friends, I liked and respected him. Unlike me, Ed was born for the theater and made his mark as a university theater professor and director.
There were times when Ed didn't know all of his lines during rehearsals, and our despotic director would make everyone remain until s/he (or any other actor) knew them. Many years ago, one of his former students was performing in a play here in Longview, Washington, and I asked him if Ed was doing the same with his actors. All the young man would say was that Ed's most frequent comment was "Just do it!"
Ed touched many lives, including mine, throughout his lifetime, and I'm so glad to have known and worked with him. I again extend my sincerest condolences to his family and add that I'm pretty sure that last year I had a tree planted in his memory.

Sarah and family,

My deepest condolences to you all for the loss of Ed. May his memory be a blessing to you all.

I met Ed and his family in the 1960s and was in a TV play for King5 in Seattle with him. I remember a smiling sweet man. Tom Ballard, Seattle.

I first met Ed while performing in King Lear at Portland State. He was Kent, I was Regan. Every night when I died and was carried offstage Ed should be waiting in the wings. He would say to me, "Did you puke, eh, did you puke?" While putting his finger down his throat. He was seriously funny and lovely man. I give enjoyed spending time with Ed and Sarah through the years. My heart goes out to Sarah and the family. He will be sorely missed.

A valued colleague, a beloved friend.

Ed and I first met when we had opposing roles at Lewis and Clark College in a play during the fall of 1963. "The Andersonville Trial" depicted the trial of the former commandant of infamous Confederate Andersonville prison. I played the man on trial (in real life later hanged) and Ed the prosecutor. Play is full of mentions of the murder of Lincoln, and our third performance was immediately after the Kennedy assassination. Best audience I can remember.
During the spring of 1964, Ed and I again faced each other in the musical "Destry Rides Again" with Him as the hero and me as the villain.
In the L&C summer theater of 1965, Ed again was the golden boy who gets the girl in the classic "Born Yesterday" while I, yet again, played the heavy. It had a good review. I am so proud of Ed for all he accomplished during his career as an educator and theater director. I just wish I'd seen more of him later on.
I truly am mourning his passing and extend my sincerest condolences to all in the family. He'll always be a bright spot in my memory.

John M. McClelland
Lewis & Clark '67