Edwin Earl Casdorph

Edwin Casdorph Lakeland - Edwin Earl Casdorph, 81, died Monday October 9, 2006 at the Lakeland Regional Medical Center of respiratory failure. Born in Charleston, West Virginia (Go Mountaineers!), on Nov. 22, 1924, Ed grew up enjoying nature, mountains and fishing. He also had a great appreciation for music, played the piano, directed his high school band, and trumpeted with Tex Beneke during the Big Band Era. Ed had "tours of duty" in the Navy in World War II, the Army in the Korean War, and with Jacobs Engineering where for 27 years, he honed his "list-making" skills, traveled the United States, as well as Ireland, Puerto Rico, Peru and Venezuela. While in California, Ed and his wife, Eileen, bought their first boat. In 1975, they left their "hearts" in San Francisco (but not their boat) and moved to Lakeland, FL (Go Bucs!). He served two terms as Commander of the Lakeland Power Squadron and taught several navigation classes at the Public Safe Boating Courses. Ed's attention to preparation and safety served them well returning from the Bahamas in storm-tossed (and Eileen-tossed) seas on their boat appropriately named "Pesadilla." Ed will be missed by Eileen, his sons David and Garth, six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews (Eileen knows their names), and all of those who had the privilege of being touched by his love and generosity. Since Ed made the arrangements to be sent to Gainesville for scientific research and to be remembered as he was in life, there will be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LVIM or First United Methodist Church. Gentry Morrison Dukes Steen