Edwin B. Bradford

Edwin B. Bradford, 93, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Colonial Villa in Midland.

The son of R. D. and Bessie (Smith) Bradford, Ed was born July 17, 1922 and raised on a centennial dairy farm in Alma along with his older brother, the late Kenneth (Jean) Bradford, and sister, the late Vera (Paul) Woodland. Ed was a 12th generation direct descendant of Plymouth Colony, Gov. William Bradford, and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan. After graduating from Alma College, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was sent to Lehigh University to be trained as an army engineer. In 1944 he was reassigned to the 3101 Signal Service Battalion where he was a cryptographic technician and teletype operator, responsible for managing and controlling communications along the Stillwell Road between India and China. After the war, on July 19, 1946, Ed married Virginia Hetzman, the daughter of Clarence and Amy Hetzman of Alma.

Ed and Virginia moved to Midland where he began a distinguished 40-year career as a research physicist in electron microscopy with The Dow Chemical Co. Ed worked in the physics and analytical labs where he authored and co-authored numerous research papers and several textbook chapters. In 1965, he received the Union Carbide Chemicals Prize for a paper titled "Morphological Changes in Latex Films."

He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia after 62 years of marriage and is survived by four children, Luann Benoit of Chicago, Philip (Cynthia) Bradford of Marietta, Ga., Susan (Terry) Dusseau of Midland and David (Kathy) Bradford of Hockessin, Del. Ed was the proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren, Brian (Regan) Benoit, Kevin Benoit, Wesley (Alisa) Bradford, Richard Bradford, Benjamin (Katy) Dusseau, Gina (Garrett) Shireman, Aaron (Ivis) Bradford, Nathan Bradford, Andrew (Jacyln) Bradford and Benjamin (Leslie) Bradford. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Gene Hetzman and Bob (Nancy) Hetzman; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was a humble man, devoted father and friend who treasured his close friendships and was a longtime member of the Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland. He was an exceptional athlete throughout his lifetime, winning numerous tournaments and league championships in volleyball, golf, paddleball and table tennis, taking 2nd place in the 1978 National Paddleball Championship, Golden Master's Division. He won multiple Midland city table tennis championships and participated in the 1992 U.S. Open Table Tennis Tournament. He was an ardent supporter of Alma College and served as president of the Midland area Alma College Alumni Association. He was an exemplary "handy man" who could always find a way to fix anything that needed fixing. Ed was an accomplished Bridge player, avid Detroit Tiger baseball fan and ever the exercise and health enthusiast who enjoyed growing his own raspberries and tomatoes.

A private interment service with military honors and an Alma College student bagpiper was held on July 7, 2016 at Midland Memorial Gardens. A memorial celebration will be held Sunday, July 31, 2016 at the Midland Community Center's Senior Center for a 12:30 p.m. gathering and service followed by a meal and fellowship. Memorial tributes may be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church, Alma College or the Midland Community Center.