Edgar "Ed" Washington Travers Jr.

Ed was born on September 20, 1951, in Great Lakes, IL to Edgar and Bonnie Travers. He graduated from Waukegan High School before attending Wayne State College, where he met his wife, Ronda. They were married on December 14, 1974, and together built a beautiful life in Columbus, NE.

Ed and Ronda were blessed with two sons, Chad and Matt, and was a proud grandfather of six. Nothing made Ed happier than cheering on his children and later his grandchildren in their many sporting events and activities.

Ed dedicated his professional life to education. He began his teaching career at Monroe Public Schools before spending the remainder of his career with Columbus Public Schools as a teacher and coach. Working with young people wasn’t simply his profession, it was his calling. He believed in encouraging every student to become the best version of themselves, both in the classroom and in life.

As a wrestling, football and track coach in Middle School and High School, Ed was known for his hard work, discipline, and character. Among his proudest accomplishments was assisting the Columbus High wrestling team to back-to-back state wrestling championships in 1979 and 1980. Both teams have since been inducted into the Columbus High Athletic Hall of Fame while also honoring Ed as assistant coach for both teams.

Ed retired from full-time teaching in 2013 and continued as a substitute teacher until 2020, cherishing every opportunity to reconnect with students and colleagues and continue doing what he loved most.

Above all else, Ed loved people. He had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, valued, and important. Whether through a conversation in the hallway, words of encouragement after a tough day, Ed left a lasting impression on countless lives. His kindness, genuine interest in others, and unwavering encouragement will be remembered by generations of students, athletes, friends, and family.

Ed’s legacy lives on in the lives he shaped, the lessons he taught, and the love he shared so freely. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his wife, Ronda; his sons, Chad (Carolyn) and Matt (Brittany); his cherished grandchildren, Audrey, Lucas, Amelia, Tessa, Hudson, and Sullivan; extended family; former students and athletes; and the many friends whose lives were brighter because they knew him.

His life was a testament to the belief that the greatest measure of success is not found in accomplishments alone, but in the lives we touch along the way.

“A great teacher inspires. A great coach leads. A great man does both—and leaves the world better than he found it.”