Edward W. Purdy

Edward W. Purdy

Edward W. Purdy 86, passed away Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012, in Spokane, Wash. He was born in Clark Fork, Idaho, February 25, 1926. He was a graduate of Harrison High School, then served in U.S. Navy during WWII. After the war he attended the University of Idaho and graduated in 1952 with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

He married Helen Ottosen on September 4, 1949, and they were married 63 years. He worked at Boeing for a number of years then later as an electrical engineer at Grand Coulee Dam.

Mr. Purdy was active in his church throughout his life and served as an elder. He was a member of Toastmasters International, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Rotary Club. He was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed hunting and rock hounding.

His other hobbies included gems, photography, faceting and gardening.

He is preceded in death by his father Seymour Purdy, mother Ruth Archer (Purdy), two brothers George McDowell and Seymour Purdy and a sister, Lucille Skjarett.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, and two children, Craig of Coulee Dam and Michelle of Spokane; four grandchildren: Amy Koon (Spokane), Jason Baumgartner (Boise), Mark Baumgartner (Las Vegas), Joel Baumgartner (Boise); four great-grandchildren: Nathan, Madison, August and Russell; a sister, Beryl Cahill, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, December 9, at Mt. Hope Church.

Burial will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Schanzenbach Funeral Home, Fairfield, Wash.