Edwin LeRoy Phelps

Edwin L. Phelps of McLean, VA, and Palm Beach, FL, died on March 17, 2026, at age 87. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Linda M. (Lin) Phelps; son, Ed(die) Phelps; grandchildren, Isabel Phelps (Eric Patzke) and Ian Phelps; sisters, Sue Clendenning, Pamela Frausto, and Kris Habben; and many friends, colleagues, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard W. Phelps.

Born and raised in Providence, RI, Ed worked his way through Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating with a business degree. Then he came to Washington as a management intern. Working for the Department of Defense, he became responsible for procurement, logistic support, and program management for large-scale defense systems. He also earned a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. In 1968 he joined the private sector. He became vice president of Sterling Institute, where he co-founded a center that presented seminars for DoD executives.

In 1981 Ed founded ESI International, a professional development company that grew rapidly. Recognizing that tribal and federal government employees needed practical instruction to run contracts and grants successfully, he led ESI in developing and presenting courses throughout the country. Observing that project management was rapidly emerging as a critical discipline, he initiated a prototypical private–university partnership with The George Washington University School of Business. When Ed and Lin, ESI’s senior VP, sold the company in 1997, ESI was presenting some 6,000 classroom courses annually throughout the world.

Ed continued for many years as an entrepreneur, investor, and advisor in the education industry and others. He owned a company that offered a curriculum in strategic program execution in partnership with Stanford University, as well as other innovative learning companies. He also served for many years on the board of advisors of The George Washington University Law School and the board of directors of The George Washington University Medical Faculty Associates.

Ed and Lin enjoyed serving on the International Committee of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and other arts organizations. They began spending the winter in Palm Beach in 2007. In both Washington and Palm Beach, Ed enjoyed the company of many treasured friends. He also enjoyed traveling widely and often, domestically and internationally. And he loved spending time with his grandchildren, in whom he took great pride.

A celebration of life for Ed will be held at a future date. To be notified, please contact [email protected].

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ed's memory to Georgetown University's Fund a Fellow for Parkinson's program -- through this link: https://secure.advancement.georgetown.edu/s/1686/18/giving.aspx?sid=1686&gid=4&pgid=3975&cid=5816&dids=87.36.34.14.180.144&bledit=1&sort=1&appealcode=oss168 or by mail to National Parkinson's Center of Excellence, Georgetown University, Gift Processing -- GUMC Fund a Fellow Program, Dept. No. 0734, Washington, DC 20073-0734.