Edward D. Asper

Edward Dean Asper was born in Compton, CA on December 10, 1939 to Dwain and Vida Elizabeth Johnson Asper and passed away on February 22, 2022 peacefully at home in Mt. Plymouth, Florida with his family by his side.

Ed began his zoo and aquarium career in the early 1960's as a marine mammal keeper/trainer at Marineland of the Pacific in California. He quickly became an expert in the marine mammal field and took his expertise to SeaWorld. Ed traveled extensively and was well-known internationally in the zoological community, serving on the AZA, the Scientific Advisory Committee to the International Whaling Commission and consulting on marine mammal issues worldwide. He was passionate about ornithology and a charter member of the International Wild Waterfowl Association. In addition, Ed co-authored many scientific articles about whales and dolphins, manatees and walruses.

He was an experienced diver, an avid bird watcher and an amateur wildlife photographer. Despite all of his success and travels, his greatest personal accomplishment was his love for his family. He had a generous heart yet was extremely humble. He had a love of movies and eating lots of popcorn and ice cream. But no matter what he was doing he was happy to be in that moment with you. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.

Predeceased by his parents, father Paul and sister Betty, Ed is survived by his brother Tom, sons Keith and Allan, grandchildren Teresa King (Ross), Paul Imholt (Cori), two great grandchildren along with countless nieces, nephews and cousins. His family would like to thank the hospice staff for keeping him comfortable in his last days.

Services will be held at Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home on Sunday, March 6, 2022, with a Visitation from 11:00am to 2:00pm, followed by a Graveside Service at 2:00pm at Woodlawn Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date.