Edwin Ed Max Zurflueh

Grandchildren: Austin, Ben, Chynna, Irelynn, Kai. Ten nieces and nephews.

Dear friends of many years: Marilyn Eide and her children and grandchildren.

Ed arrived on a summer day in Tillamook, Oregon, the sixth of seven children born to John and Ruth Zurflueh. He was a Fourth of July baby; his birth was happily celebrated in 1933, along with the birthday of the USA, and every year after for 80 years. His siblings included three brothers and three sisters, one deceased before Ed was born.

Elementary school years were spent at Liberty Grade School in Tillamook. In 1949, the Zurflueh family moved to Beaverton, Oregon where Ed attended Beaverton High School, graduating in 1951. During his high school years Ed was active in sports, including baseball, basketball and football. He received a sports scholarship to Pacific University in Forest Grove and attended briefly before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1953. A veteran of the Korean Conflict (non-combat), he served at Fort Lewis, WA and Fort Ord, CA. He was honorably discharged in 1955 with the rank of Corporal.

After serving in the military, Ed attended Oregon College of Education, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1958. In 1976 he received a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Portland State University.

Ed was married to Linda Fay Ritter from 1958 to 1970, during which time they welcomed two sons, Jeffery Alan, born in 1964, and Max Andrew, born in 1966. Extremely proud of his sons, he followed their adventurous lives and careers around the world and back, saving every letter and framing their various business cards. Ed was equally proud of his five grandchildren; he loved receiving photos and news of their progress and activities.

Ed was employed as a teacher and coach in the Beaverton School District from 1958 to 1992. He taught classroom Language Arts and Social Studies at Meadow Park and Whitford Middle Schools. For ten years he worked as a youth baseball administrator and coach for the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District, 1956-1966. After retiring from teaching, he volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program as a driver.

Books and music played an important part in Ed’s life. He read to his students daily and he was an avid reader and collector of books himself. He got his first library card at five years of age in Tillamook when he could barely see over the librarian’s desk. He belonged to two men’s singing groups, one of them the Mt. Hood Barbershop Men’s Chorus. Other interests included fishing and the beautiful Oregon coast. His sons have fond memories of fishing trips with their dad. Ed had a clever wit and a great sense of humor. As one of his boys said, “He made me laugh more than anyone!”

Ed was a collector of things and people. He enjoyed many great friendships over the years, including a special and loyal group of high school buddies. The walls of Ed’s apartment were covered with pictures of the family members who were so important to him. Also neatly arranged on one wall was his collection of Presidential plates. In addition, he had a small collection of religious artwork, military figures, bears, Pez dispensers, Occupied Japan ceramic ware, sports cards and figures (including Blazer bobble heads), baseball caps, model cars, coins, Harry Potter memorabilia, and a collection of Little Golden Books that numbered in the thousands. Ed’s good friend Marilyn accompanied him on many of his collecting forays.

After a long illness in 2010, Ed moved to Hearthstone of Beaverton, where he resided until he passed away. He appreciated the staff and the excellent care he received and he enjoyed the activities, especially the Music at the Piano sessions on Thursdays where he could name every tune. Ever a collector, he saved every edition of the Hearthstone Happenings newsletter. An avid sports fan throughout the seasons, Ed enjoyed watching the games on television in his apartment and talking sports with the Hearthstone staff and with his sons.

A Good Man, Ed was loved by many. He’ll be missed and we’ll remember him always.

Though we need to weep your loss,

You dwell in that safe place in our hearts

Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

We look toward each other no longer

From the old distance of our names;

Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,

As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,

We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,

Smiling back at us from within everything

To which we bring our best refinement.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.

To serve the call of courage and love

Until we see your beautiful face again

In that land where there is no more separation,

Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,

And where we will never lose you again.

…from On the Death of the Beloved

~John O’Donohue