Edward Zeiger

1929 - 2021

Edward Zeiger
May 20, 1929 - October 2, 2021
Puyallup, Washington - Ed Zeiger was born in Ellensburg, Washington, the son of Ernest and Leata, teachers who had come west from Illinois. Ed and his twin brother Bill spent their early years in Kittitas. During World War II, Ernest Zeiger took a job with Boeing, and the family settled in the Foster neighborhood of Tukwila. Ed and Bill got involved in Scouting, and Ed earned the rank of Life Scout. Through Foster Presbyterian Church and school, Ed met and fell in love with Wilma Greene. Ed and Wilma were married shortly after they graduated from Foster High School.
After earning his Bachelor's degree from Central Washington University, Ed Zeiger came to Puyallup in 1952 to teach at Maplewood Elementary. Ed and Wilma raised their seven children on five acres on South Hill. Earning his Masters degree at Central Washington, Ed started his career in school administration at Firgrove Elementary, he moved to Stewart Elementary and then opened Wildwood Park Elementary, and Pope Elementary. He concluded his career as principal of Sunrise Elementary.
Ed served as president of the Association of Puyallup School Principals, Puyallup Elementary Principals, and the County and Tri-County Principals. He was a recipient of the PTA's Golden Acorn Award and the Christa McAuliffe Washington Award for Excellence in Education.
When Ed moved to Puyallup in the early 1950s, he got involved with Scouting again. When it was time for his oldest son Ernie to join Scouts in 1963, Ed stepped up his involvement even more and took a leading role in Puyallup's Boy Scout Troop 174. He was involved with the Troop for more than 55 years, mentoring hundreds of boys, hiking more than a thousand miles, and spending hundreds of nights camping. He instilled his troops with self-reliance, delegation, and leadership. He was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award in 1986 and awarded the first Pacific Harbors Council Alumnus of the Year award from the Boy Scouts of America Alumni Association in 2014.
Ed retired from a 42-year career in public education in 1994. In tribute to his service, the Daffodil PTA created the Edward Zeiger Award to recognize outstanding teachers and parent volunteers who make a difference. This award is presented annually. In recognition of the incredible impact he made on thousands of Puyallup children, the Puyallup School Board named its newest elementary school in Ed's honor. For the rest of his life, Ed made visits to Zeiger Elementary, to read in classrooms and discuss life when he was a child, and to recognize students at assemblies.
Ed remembered everybody he ever worked with or taught. He believed that every person matters. He believed that every person has the potential to learn, to grow, and to discover their meaning in life. He had a unique way of dealing with people to challenge, encourage, and support them. He taught that true success is not measured by wealth or prestige. True success was when someone overcame the challenges they faced and lived a life of integrity. Ed governed his life by the precepts of the Scout Law – …trustworthy, loyal and helpful…- that he taught to hundreds of Boy Scouts who came up through Troop 174.
Ed was a longtime member, elder, choir singer, and Sunday School teacher at Puyallup First Presbyterian Church, and he was a 35-year member of the Sunrisers Kiwanis Club where he served as President and Lt. Governor.
Ed and Wilma delighted in their large family and supported their kids and grandkids through countless sporting events and achievements, as well as disappointments and losses. After a battle with cancer, Wilma passed away in 2004.
In 2010, Ed married Betty Brown, who he met through his church choir. For the last 11 years, Ed and Betty were inseparable, their marriage a beautiful love story. They enjoyed each other's company, kept up their active engagement in the Puyallup community, and welcomed the arrival of great grandchildren.
Ed's twin brother Bill passed away in June 2021.
He is survived by his wife Betty; children Ernie (Mary), Karl (Suzan), Walt (Kim), Jack (Donna), Kay (Jerry), Konnie (Todd), and Sally (Randy); grandchildren Geoff, Dava, Ben, Kenneth, Kristi, Brad, Hans, Sophie, Joe, Molly, Jonas, Tessa, Darci, Courtney, Vanessa, Katie Jo, Daniel, Jill, Ross, Haley, Zack, Lisa, Jenny, Molly, and Cy; his sister Lyern; and numerous great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ed's church (First Presbyterian Church 412 W Pioneer, Puyallup, WA 98371) A memorial service will be planned in the coming months.