Edwin Joseph Motyka

Col. (Ret) Edwin (Ed) Joseph Motyka, 82, passed away while travelling in Turkey on November 6, 2022. Ed is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mei. He is also survived by his daughter Tamra Dale (William) from California and son Joseph Motyka (Kari) from Florida. He was the beloved Dziadzi to Xander, Austin, and Harrison Dale, and by Jade, Kai, Li, Mya, and Noa Motyka. He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by all.

Ed was born in Brooklyn, New York, then lived in many locations across the world as a proud member of the Air Force, most notably at Scott Air Force Base in southern Illinois, where he and Mei raised their children, before entering the Diplomatic Corps in 1984. Overall, he served in the United States Air Force for over 30 years, retiring as a full Colonel and Command Pilot, in 1992. In Sebastian, Florida, he was an active member of VFW 10210 and American Legion Post 189, continuing to serve in various volunteer roles until his death.

Ed loved the country he served. A few of his accomplishments include flight instruction for the Reza Shah's Air Force, design input for building Ronald Reagan's Air Force One, source selection for the C-17, being the Military Attaché for Poland and Czechoslovakia from 1985-1992, and bearing witness to the fall of the Berlin Wall, an apt capstone to his military service.

Following retirement in 1992, he continued to work as a volunteer for the VFW, teaching the history of the country and military he revered. He always felt the need to instill a sense of patriotism in others. Also in retirement, he loved traveling the world with his wife, and spending as much time as possible at home with his grandchildren.

To honor his memory, a celebration of life will be held at Fountainhead Funeral Home (7359 Babcock Road, Palm Bay, Florida) on Saturday, November 26, from 9am-11am. There will also be a full military regalia farewell service at the VFW Post 10210 (815 Louisiana Ave, Sebastian, Florida) on Saturday, November 26th at 1pm. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a time to be determined. May he rest in peace.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FountainheadFuneralHome.com for the Motyka family.