It’s hard to say that a man who died at 94 died too soon, but that certainly is the case with Edward Charles West who died Saturday, August 20th, in Boca Raton, Florida.

Born in 1928 in Philadelphia, Ed was a graduate of West Point class of 1950. He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers in 1972, a Full-Bird Colonel. Ed lived an awesome life that touched the hearts of all who met him. Along with his wife of 72 years, Marlyn (Marci) née Wenger, and their two daughters, Becki and Stephanie, the Wests lived a typical career army life moving over 40 times. With limited access to synagogues in some of the smaller towns, Ed, fluent in Hebrew, would often assume the role of Rabbi to lead small congregations that he would form wherever the family ended up. A decorated war hero in Korea with a bronze star for Valor, Ed spent many years working at the Pentagon. Ed was a key partner in the composting companies Agripost and ECW. Ed earned a masters degree in engineering from MIT and masters degree in Business Administration from George Washington.

He is survived by his wife Marci, sister Sandra, daughter Becki and husband Bruce Lev, daughter Stephanie and husband Michael Lieberman, grandchildren Josh, Brynn, Zachary, Erica, BJ, Bronwyn, Jake, Shannon and Ali. Great grandchildren Blake, Dylan, Ari and Julian.

A ceremony is planned at The Old Course of Broken Sound, Monday August 29th at 3PM.

Shiva will be observed August 31st in Philadelphia at AlDar Bistro, 281 Montgomery Ave., Bala Cynwyd, Pa from 2:30-7PM.

Burial will take place at West Point at a time still to be determined.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to the Jewish Chapel Fund at West Point. For additional information, please visit shiva.com/edwardwest.