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Edward Zalewski Obituary
Ed graduated from St. Mel's high school in 1958, then De Paul University with a BS in Physics 1962, and University of Chicago PhD in Physical Chemistry 1968.
In his professional career: he worked 20 years at NIST in radiometry research with the group that revolutionized radiometry through the use of photo diodes and winning an I-R 100 award in 1985 for the development of an infrared and visible light detector with a "100 percent quantum efficiency", he was six years at Hughes in Danbury, CT working on the MODIS program receiving numerous patents, and 10 years as a research professor in Optical Science, Remote Sensing Group at the University of Arizona calibrating Earth Orbital Satellites and consulting on the HYDIS, SeaWifs and ASTER programs.
Ed was known for his great humor, intelligence, and generosity. He is survived by his wife Christine Porch, his daughters: Bridget Z. Sullivan of Baltimore, MD and Celeste Zalewski of Haymarket, VA, his ex-wife Ruth Zalewski of Germantown, MD, his sister Marianne Wojack of Chicago, IL, his stepsons: Max Palmer of Estacada, OR and Nick Palmer of Houston, TX, granddaughters, step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Zalewski
Kathleen Teschner
July 8, 2025
Ed was everyone´s favorite and funniest uncle. He made me and my mother both feel welcome at family gatherings over the years. He was kind to everyone he encountered. My deepest condolences to Aunt Chris and his whole family and community.
Earl and Mary Rose Elliott
May 26, 2025
We were fortunate to have a friend and neighbor like Ed Zalewski. He was brilliant and always fun to be with. When we had a question, Ed had the answer which he gave with a bit of his distinctive humor. He brightened our monthly book club meetings and our monthly neighborhood gathering. We miss him and we will always remember him.
Earl and Mary Rose Elliott
Xander
May 22, 2025
He was a great person and a even better grandfather
Marion
May 21, 2025
I will miss the occasional lunch and good conversations. Ed was a good friend indeed.
Chrissie
May 20, 2025
Edward was my dental patient and I grew to enjoy our visits. I am very sad to learn of his passing but I am happy to know he is completely free and in a wonderful new place. Rest in peace.
Diane Just
May 20, 2025
Ed was in my parents´ wedding in 1965 and they kept in touch over the years. When my husband Joel and I moved to Tucson in 2015, he and Chris welcomed us like family. We´ve enjoyed a lot of experiences together ever since. And we are not the first to speak of his cheesecake! Photo evidence attached. I especially appreciated the semesters when he took my college boys out to eat to talk about life. He modeled an intellectual curiosity that inspires. It was easy to talk to him about everything going on in our lives. He always did his best to encourage us and to help others. Ed will live on in our hearts!
Jim Pienkowski
May 20, 2025
Ed you have been a good fried all these years. The St. Mel Knigts are still marching
Jennie Palmer
May 19, 2025
We will always treasure the time we got to spend with Grandpa Ed in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii and Oregon. He was there when we were married as well as whenever we needed him. I loved talking with him about any and everything, he always made me feel heard and seen. We love you so much, Grandpa Ed. May the 4th will always be yours now!
Sue Haslett
May 18, 2025
I have such lovely memories of Ed, but my favorite is the way he was there for my family during my dad´s last days. Dad was in the hospital and fading and Ed was so faithful just to come by and sit with us for a bit. He was so kind and so gently positive. Such a blessing. He was a sweet and kind and funny man. I know Chris and family will miss him terribly.
Nick Palmer
May 18, 2025
Ed was one of the smartest people I´ve ever known. His intelligence was matched only by his incredible sense of humor. As a kid, I often knew he had just told a joke not because I understood it, but because of the laughter from the adults around him. I didn´t always get the punchlines-his wit was wrapped in wordplay, obscure references, and cultural allusions that I hadn´t yet grown into.
Over time, I had to expand my vocabulary and broaden my understanding of the world just to catch up. But it was always worth it. His humor was clever, dry, and often brilliant.
I have vivid memories of watching Jeopardy! with Ed. He´d casually call out an answer here or there, and I assumed he didn´t know most of them. One night, I asked him to answer every single question-and kept score. He absolutely crushed it, beating the on-screen contestants handily. It turned out he´d only been speaking up when he wasn´t completely sure-holding back unless he had some doubt. We tried to convince him to try out for the show, but he worried his tremor might hold him back. Still, it was clear he belonged among the best.
Ed was also one of the hardest-working people I´ve known. He´d often joke that he had cut back to just "half-days"-meaning 12-hour shifts. It wasn´t just a punchline; it was his ethic. He wasn´t always around because of it, but when he was, he brought joy, generosity, and that ever-present humor with him.
And then there was his baking.
Hands down, Ed was the best baker I´ve ever met. Growing up in a bakery in Chicago probably had something to do with it. I remember sitting in restaurants, eating cheesecake, and hearing him say, "This is good-but I can do better." And he could. In my recipe collection are two of his originals: a Black Forest cheesecake and a Piña Colada cheesecake. He didn´t consult cookbooks or Google; he just made them-instinctively, perfectly. Both remain unmatched by anything I´ve had in a restaurant.
Of course, Ed wasn´t perfect. I think he struggled to accept his diagnosis. He avoided doing some of the exercises that might have helped him stay healthier longer-perhaps because seeing others struggle was too painful for him. But even as his body faltered, his humor never did. His spirit stayed bright, and in the end, that laughter and positivity probably gave him more meaningful days than any medical intervention could have.
Now that his time has come to a close, Ed will be deeply missed by everyone who knew his sharp mind, his generous heart, and his joyful presence. And certainly by anyone who had the privilege of tasting his baking.
I´m grateful he was able to enjoy much of the time he had, and that I was able to be there with him at the end-to hold his hand, and to tell him just how much he was loved.
I´ll miss you, Ed. I´ll do my best to honor your memory with the cheesecakes you taught me to make-though I know mine will never quite measure up.
I love you.
Alisson Valencia
May 14, 2025
Ed was a wonderful person, his jokes and humor was everything. When me and my family met him and his wife, they became our family. That's why it hurts me so much to know that he is no longer with us. We gonna miss you Ed.
Ann Thurston
May 14, 2025
A lot of fun memories. Will always remember the good times, and miss you.
Wm. J. (Bill) Canalez
May 14, 2025
Ed---When I met you 7-8 years ago that was a good day. You & I & several others would meet every 5-7 weeks for past 7-8 years to discuss family, current events, Chicago, places we had visited, the past-----seldom sports-----& whatever was deemed important to us.You were a gentleman---always. As your illness progressed, you never gave into it or ever let it become a topic of conversation. We respected that. You were one tough guy! I'll miss you & remember you in my prayers. Bill Canalez.
Valentin
May 14, 2025
I always loved how smart Ed was with the sciences, and how he´d tell me lots of crazy stories from his time as a scientist since I also love science! But one of my most fondest memories was when we got to take grandpa Ed and grandma Chris to Hawaii for the very first time, this is a photo I got of grandpa Ed at Rainbow Falls in Hilo. I only wish I was born sooner so that way I could have had more time with grandpa Ed to see all the achievements and great things he accomplished. You were a really really hilarious but awesome grandpa, thank you for sharing your stories with us
Max
May 14, 2025
My favorite memories of Ed are after eating a delicious meal he would keep cutting the left overs into smaller pieces until we finished the whole thing. I will miss his humor and unconditional love the most!
Christine Porch
May 13, 2025
Miss you ED
Susan
May 13, 2025
Ed and I tutored at Project More together in Tucson Az as well as with a DACA student. We really enjoyed this time.
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