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Claude Edwards Obituary

Claude Edwards, 69, of Chula Vista, CA, passed away on November 6, 2023.
Claude is survived by his spouse, Michael, and his brothers Dwight, Wyatt, Stacy, and Allen.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Claude's memory can be made to the Glioblastoma Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

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

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Nov. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Claude Edwards

21 Entries

Makr

February 8, 2024

Dear Mike and Family. I just found out this news today as I was mentioning to another Western Field Ornithologist how the first time I went on an organized bird walk @ Cabrillo Monument , Claude was the leader. I will never ever forget him shouting out with major emotion, "look, a California Towhee ! " I also shred some very one on one quality time with Claude when we would go to the mountains together to do a SD Birdfest "pre run ", My codolences to each and e one of you.

Anne Fege

December 14, 2023

Claude was a field biologist, identifying and monitoring birds as well as native and rare plants. Claude and Michael co-founded the San Diego Bird Festival, organized it for nine years, and then transferred it to San Diego Audubon Society. I first met them in the SD Fire Recovery Network after the 2003 Cedar Fire and 2007 Witch Creek Fire. Claude led bird walks at Cabrillo National Monument, for SD Audubon Society, and others. He chaired the program committee for the San Diego Chapter of the California Native Plant Society, was on the Board of San Diego Audubon Society, and chaired the Anstine-Audubon Preserve (Vista) committee in the early years.

Claude was legally blind for more than 15 years, and shifted his life patterns and pleasures to still live fully. He was a "pro" at navigating the trolley and bus system to meetings and walks at local nature places. Claude retrained as an ESL instructor, but the pandemic halted job prospects. Claude became very active in the San Diego Blind Community Center, North Park Lions Club, and National Federation of the Blind.

Claude´s friendship brought me many pleasures, as we met monthly for walks and talks in the past five years. I was always impressed by his identification of birds by sound, shape and behavior. Claude sent emails with amazing accounts of the bird walks, all over the county. We shared joys, challenges, and attitudes about health, careers, colleagues, friendships, and life. Some of you were also touched by and will miss Claude, as he was such a genuine, caring, and wise man.

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Claude's brother and slide show!

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Marsha Tepner

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Some of Claude's many friends

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Anne Fege, Young Claude with snake

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

Troy Murphree

December 14, 2023

I met Claude in the 80s, I think at RBR & Associates. Over the years, it warmed my heart to see him at get togethers, contributing to biology studies, and volunteering at various special events. I will miss Claude, a lovable, friendly, enthusiastic friend and amazing birder!

Viviane Marquez-Waller

December 13, 2023

Claude left his mark on so many, including me. His friendliness, good humor and laughter were the norm and his joy and enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge with others was a big part of his being. Claude volunteered an incredible amount of his time over the decades to introduce the joy of birding to so many as well as to enhance the knowledge of the birding community. I believe his contribution(s) (often with Mike at his side), through leading nature walks, giving slide presentations, butterfly classes, helping at nature preserves, starting the San Diego Bird Festival, and helping with so many other events was/were unparallelled. His many efforts will continue his legacy through all of us that he has taught and known. He was everybody's friend and I feel honored to have known and shared time with him.
Viviane,
friend first and work colleague second

Nancy Stalnaker

Planted Trees

Nancy Stalnaker

December 10, 2023

Thank you Claude, for sharing your love and knowledge of birds with me and the world. I'm blessed to have met Claude, shortly after moving to San Diego in the 1980s; he showed me the good birding spots, taught me about chasing rarities, and how to appreciate even the most common birds.
His enthusiasm was contagious. A field trip to Salton Sea stands out as a wonderful memory, when several of us added Sandhill Crane to our life lists, and our leader Claude seemed more pleased than anyone! Oh, when we saw a tiny baby Verdin being fed on a nest, Claude's joy was surely shared.
The world is a better place for having known Claude.
My condolences to family and loved ones.
In gratitude,
Nancy Stalnaker

Martin White

December 10, 2023

I moved to San Diego for my graduate studies in zoology in the early 80´s and met Claude while out birding. We would often met up at different locations throughout SD and I would join him on the annual birding census. He would stop by the house often to visit and I always enjoyed his company and the many discussions we would have. He was the go to source of information on SD birds and many other topics as well. He also was very good at sketching birds, you would describe a bird you saw but didn´t know and he would sit there and sketch it out. So glad I got to spend time with Claude he will be missed. Martin

Ron Forster and Laura Hunter

December 2, 2023

Laura and I loved and were inspired by Claude. We met him when I took his beginner's birding class at UCSD. I remember our first field trip where he burst out of the car at the meeting place and began calling out the many bird species he was seeing and hearing. I had never seen someone of his talent and still think he was the best we've ever known. At first I was wondering if he really was identifying all those sounds. But we were all convinced when he took us on a night trip to Julian where he exchanged calls with and led us to several amazing species of owls. We would go on to become friends and bird together many times. Claude's passion for birds and all wildlife was so inspiring. He lives on through all of those that he has inspired. So glad to have had him as a friend. - Love, Ron and Laura

Dean Hansen

November 26, 2023

Claude & Mike lived near me in Normal Heights back in the 90s. I remember visiting (ok, bugging them) before I met my partner. I often went along with Claude on his many bird walks. He would announce there was a particular type of bird simply by its song, this was before he lost his vision, but he continued birding by listening to bird song. I was very impressed. You will be missed my friend. As they say, Via Con Dios, Fair Thee Well! Enjoy your next great adventure.

Margie Donovan

November 24, 2023

Claude was a man who loved Michael, birding, the Lions, writing and his blindness groups. He was always the one to call someone who was having a challenge with their sight loss, despite his own challenges with it. Claud gave so much and left a large footprint of love on this Earth.

Taylor Edwards

November 23, 2023

Uncle Claude was always the nicest, sweetest and most talkative, loving Uncle to all of us kids growing up. His love for birds and sharing his beautiful knowledge of birds with us is something I will always remembers because he just lit up with such joy whenever he could share with us.

Getting the opportunity to experience one of his awesome birding tours at the Cabrillo National Monument with my cousins is one of my favorite memories with Uncle Claude. I remember being so proud that he was my Uncle that day and it was really cool seeing him with his colleagues and friends who just appreciated him so much.

One of the most wonderful experiences I got to have with Uncle Claude, and Uncle Mike, was when they both treated me to a day trip down to La Bufadora, Ensenada, Mexico. I had just graduated from San Diego State and they gifted me this trip for graduating. We drove through Tijuana, got to stop to sight-see in Puerto Nuevo. We got to Rosarito and grabbed a few cervezas and some fish tacos. It was SO fun and YUMMY!!

We went on through Ensenada and curled around to a dirt road that took us to one of only a few natural geysers in the world!!! It was so beautiful and stunning. Honestly, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I will keep it in my heart and my head forever.

Uncle Mike and Uncle Claude blasted RAMMSTEIN during our drive and it was just so much fun. They dropped such massive amounts of knowledge on me about birds, bugs and all of the nature and history of the land in Mexico and south San Diego. My heart was so full and it was rad learning so many things about the creatures and animals living in this world all-around me.

The amount of love and care and kindness they both showered me with is something that I will never forget and I do my best to follow their lead and give back to my nieces and nephews and grandchildren.

Thank you, Uncle Claude, for just being you. Your joy and love is with us all forever. Knowing you are with GrandMama, Grandfather Claude, Mema and all of our loved ones who have passed on fills my heart. We miss you but we will see you again. Love you, Uncle Claude. Vaya con Dios.

Dianne Lane

November 22, 2023

Eleven years ago my daughter arranged a surprise private birding tour with Claude. That was one of the most wonderful days of my life and the beginning of a marvelous friendship with Claude. We went on so many birding adventures around the county, and I learned so very much from him. He was an inspirational human being.

Michelle L. KLEIN

November 22, 2023

Spending the day with my dad's and my 1st born. Claude was the best thing that ever happened to my dad. Claude will never be forgotten or loved.

Michelle Klein

Michael Klein

November 22, 2023

28 years together and there was not one day that Claude and I laughed about something. Laughter is the best medicine.

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