EDWARD LAMP, 1942-2010: Terra teacher was a chemist in Fremont

10/13/2010

ELMORE - Edward Lamp, 68, who taught thousands over a 30-year community college career, died Sunday at his home in Ottawa County's Harris Township from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

He retired in 1998 from Terra Community College, where he taught economics and psychology. Earlier, he taught science at Fremont Junior High School.

For Mr. Lamp, "you didn't learn with pen and paper, but by listening and thinking and figuring it out," his daughter Jane said. "That's kind of how he was in life."

He visited every continent. Summers meant sailing in northern Michigan, recalled his friend Dr. Jack Brunner. They shared a sailboat in 78-knot squalls.

"We never felt more alive in our lives," he said. "We were like two 10-year-olds. It was like we were on the adventure of a lifetime, like Huckleberry Finn.

"He loved to learn and had so many talents. He could take photos and fly planes and sail boats and woodwork and fix anything. I don't think I ever met anybody like him."

Born May 21, 1942, in Minneapolis, he was adopted Jan. 29, 1943, and celebrated it annually as a second birthday. He majored in chemistry and biology at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. He was a chemist for two Fremont businesses before he turned to teaching. He had a master's degree from UT and a doctorate from BGSU.

He was formerly married to Parmelia Boyer.

Surviving are his wife, Neta, whom he married Aug. 11, 1990; daughters, Dr. Jane Karminski and Abby Heckman; stepdaughter, Lorena Caulfield; stepson, Jeremiah Rees; sister, Hazel "Snook" Magnuson; seven grandchildren, and five step-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elmore, where he was a member and designed and made its stained glass windows. Arrangements are by Crosser Funeral Home, Elmore-Genoa Chapel.

The family suggests tributes to the church; Terra Community College Foundation, or the Grandpa's Turkeys team in the Ride to Defeat ALS of the ALS Association Florida chapter.

Contact Mark Zaborney at:

mzaborney@theblade.com

or 419-724-6182.