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BORN
1952
DIED
2015
Bruce Edwards Obituary
He and his wife, Joan, were traveling in Texas when an aortic aneurysm he was unaware of burst, his wife said. They settled in Willow, Alaska, after his 2012 retirement.
Mr. Edwards wrote several books on Mr. Lewis and the Narnia novels and edited a four-volume reference set about the late author. Timed for the 2005 release of a film based on a Narnia tale, Mr. Edwards wrote two books. He also traveled the country as part of a "Narnia on Tour" lecture series.
"Lewis wanted to write books that anyone can enjoy," Mr. Edwards told The Blade. The Narnia books were not explicitly Christian allegory, but "... for Christian readers and reviewers, the parallels will stand out."
Mr. Edwards, in nearly 32 years of teaching at BGSU, was chairman of more than 100 master's theses committees and more than 30 doctoral dissertation committees.
"He was a cheerleader," his wife said. "He enjoyed helping people succeed."
He had strong convictions, "but that never prevented him from having serious engagement with people with whom he didn't necessarily agree," said Alice Calderonello, a retired colleague in rhetoric and writing. "He was a kind and humane person."
He was a former associate dean in the college of arts and sciences and for distance learning and international programs. He also became an associate vice provost for academic technology.
He also taught Africana studies after a Fulbright fellowship to Nairobi. He'd been a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation and had a yearlong professorship to the University Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. In 2005, through a Fulbright-Hays grant, he took a group of educators to Tanzania.
He was born Sept. 5, 1952, in Akron to Betty Lou and Bruce L. Edwards. He was a graduate of Akron Central High School. He had a bachelor's degree in English from the University Missouri-Rolla, a master's degree in English from Kansas State University, and a doctorate in literature and rhetoric from the University of Texas, Austin.
Surviving are his wife, Joan Edwards, whom he married Sept. 28, 1973; sons, Matthew, Justin, and Michael; daughter, Mary Sanford, and five grandchildren.
Memorial services will be at 6:30 p.m. today in Bowling Green Covenant Church, where he was an elder. Arrangements are by Schaffer Funeral Home, Defiance.
The family suggests tributes to bridgingthegapafrica.org or to the Bowling Green Pregnancy Center.
Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Edwards
16 Entries
January 13, 2016
This message is to Joan and the children.
My name is Steve Briley, and my wife's name is Terrie. We knew you and Bruce during my years in Grad school at BGSU 1981-1984.
Bruce was a humble and gracious friend that i could always count on for advice and help, when needed, as I was going thru some tough years in the Math program.
I'll always remember he and I playing basketball on a BGSU league - we were called "Aslin's Warriors" - it was a bonding, i guess.
All our best,
Steve & Terrie Briley
Petoskey, Michigan
Bob Trube
November 27, 2015
I just learned of Bruce's "going further up and further in". I had the opportunity to interact with Bruce occasionally over a number of years and felt he epitomized something he talked about in Lewis, the seamless integration of his faith and scholarship. My prayers are with Joan and the family.
Bucky and Julia Garno
November 7, 2015
Bruce was a great man, and behind him was a great woman! Our love and prayers go out to Joan and the rest of the family.
Lillian Ashcraft-Eason
November 6, 2015
I send condolences to Joan and family upon the death of Bruce Edwards, husband and father. His service to BGSU was deep and wide, extending to the Africana Studies Program while I was director. When the program needed faculty that was knowledgeable about the subject matter of Africana Studies, he graciously accepted an invitation to teach courses and serve on the Africana Studies Executive Committee. His embrace of students from Africa will long be remembered by those whom he served and by many other BGSU associates.
I hope that the family's memory of his sunny smile, amiable manner, and academic and social contributions will comfort you as you heal.
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Jeff Grilliot
November 5, 2015
Bruce was a great friend and a mentor to me and to many students across the globe. My prayers go out to his family.
Best. Jeff Grilliot
Apollos Nwauwa
November 5, 2015
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bruce, a valued friend and colleague in Africana Studies Program at BGSU - Apollos
Benard Manyibe
November 5, 2015
Dr. Edwards... You were a great teacher, friend, a mentor, humble, and a great man of God. You cared about our issues as foreign students... You listened to us ... And you gave many foreign students opportunity to study at Bowling Green University and other universities. I can remember the many discussions we had about education, Kenya, Africa, and Jesus. I will forever have you in my memories and live your teachings. God gave you to us, God took you.. You are in good hands. RIP prof. Benard Manyibe
Lisa Vallad
November 5, 2015
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa
November 5, 2015
I'm so very sorry for your loss. I met Dr. Edwards at his C.S. Lewis workshop in Willow and his presence--his knowledge, energy and generosity will be greatly missed in our community. Peace be with you.
Matthew Bunker
November 5, 2015
Very, very sad to hear this....my thoughts and prayers, condolences with the Edwards family, all who knew this wonderful man. May God bring you peace, him eternal rest. Thank you for all you have done for BGSU, Godspeed....---MB, BGSU senior
Keith and Carol Goltz
November 4, 2015
Bruce's life was a great gift to many. We are so very grateful for the time we spent with him, short as it was. May Joan and his family find the comfort he would want for them now and always.
Betty Winslow
November 4, 2015
Mark and I will miss Bruce terribly. It was bad enough when he and Joan moved to Alaska. Now, he's moved beyond everyone's reach, and all we can do is look forward to the day when we'll all be together again - no more pain, no more tears, no more goodbyes. The entire Edwards clan will be in our prayers.
Barbara Childers
November 4, 2015
Although you know you will see Bruce again, I pray Jesus will send you special comfort at this difficult time.
Diane VanWagner
November 3, 2015
My condolences to the Edwards family. May you find comfort and peace in all the wonderful memories of Bruce. I just remember he was always smiling when I saw him, and he loved his family very much.
Jean Sexton
November 3, 2015
I'll never forget spending a week with Bruce & Joan and The Twinklings at The Kilns...I think it changed all of our lives, and certainly brought us together as friends. We'll meet again, Bruce, and until that time, you will remain with us in precious memory.
Jeff Thompson
November 3, 2015
I sent my course "The Bible and C. S. Lewis" to Bruce. He was so kind and encouraging to me. I then took his summer seminar on Lewis back in the 90s, which was fun and he taught me much. We kept in contact through the years with email and facebook. He was always kind to others, humble and very insightful. I'll miss him and his posts on facebook.
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Nov
5
Memorial service
6:30 p.m.
Bowling Green Covenant Church
1165 Haskins Road, Bowling Green, OH
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