Edwin D. West

Edwin D. West, of St. Pete Beach, FL, passed away on June 4, 2016, after suffering for many years from Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in New Brunswick, NJ to Edwin and Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) West on Dec. 6, 1945, he was raised in Milltown, NJ until the family moved to Hinsdale, IL. Ed attended Hinsdale Central High School, Class of 1963, where he was on the state champion swim and dive team. He continued on to Colorado State University on a diving scholarship. In 1966, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve where he trained to be a Submarine Warfare Specialist. Ed served on the USS Flasher (SSN-613) as a torpedo man third class. He received a National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star. He married his wife, Linda Lee Collins, on June 11, 1971 in Westchester, IL. He graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1972. He continued on to get his Masters Degree from Northern Illinois University in 1975. Ed began his teaching career in 1972 working for Community Unit School Dist. 200. He was an 8th grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher. He also was a successful middle school wrestling coach, leading his teams to win multiple city championships. He continued his joy of coaching as the Wheaton IKWF wrestling club coach and coached soccer throughout the years. His son, Collin, was born in June of 1978 and his daughter, Lisa, in May of 1982. He retired from Hubble Middle School in 2004 after 32 years working for Community Unit School Dist. 200. Ed was very devoted to his students and wrestlers and missed his wrestlers most after retirement. He was an avid fisherman who enjoyed spending his summers fishing at Indian Lake in Dowagiac, MI or off the fishing dock of Captiva Cay, on St. Pete Beach where they wintered after retirement. He loved to read and was a history buff. He enjoyed bowling, building decks, as well as playing poker and golf. He will be remembered for always having a great Ed-venture to tell. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty West, in 2005. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Linda Collins West; son, Collin Edwin West (Tammy), of Lewisville; TX, daughter, Lisa West Nielsen (Jeffrey), of Lisle, IL; father, Edwin (aka Ted) West, of St. Pete Beach, FL/New Castle, NH; sister, Barbara Shea Smucker (William), of Rye, NH; and nieces and nephews. A graveside service with inurnment will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 2016 at Bay Pines National Cemetery, with Navy Honors. There will be a reception at the Captiva Cay Club House on Blind Pass Road following inurnment. A Celebration of Life will take place in Wheaton, IL at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the following three organizations: Alzheimer’s Research, Alzheimer's Association or Suncoast Hospice. Beach Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.