Date of death: 10/4/2023
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1962
Edwin J “Ed” Spahn, 87, of Lake County, Florida, passed away on October 4, 2023. He was born on February 15, 1936, in Evansville, Indiana. Ed proudly served in the U.S. Army. Ed pursued higher education at Purdue University, where he studied Electrical Engineering, following his graduation from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.
Ed had an esteemed career in various fields. He worked at R.F. Communications from 1961 to 1967 and Scientific Radio Systems from 1967 to 1975. Additionally, he dedicated his time as a Volunteer Firefighter and Fire Commissioner at the North Greece Fire Department in North Greece, NY, from 1964 to 1975. Ed then served as the Chief of the Hastings Fire Department in Hastings, Nebraska, from 1975 to 1978, followed by his role as the Chief of the Joliet Fire Department in Joliet, IL, from 1978 to 1981. He later became the Deputy Chief of the Orange County Fire Department in Orange County, FL, from 1981 to 1992. After retiring from the fire service, Ed worked as a Fire Protection Engineer at Spahn Engineering Services in Florida from 1992 to 2012.
Edwin was a devout member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Winter Garden, Florida, where he worshipped. He found joy in his hobbies, including following the Nebraska Huskers football team, photography, operating ham radio (W9ABW now silent key), and spending time with his beloved dogs (Bear, Sabre and Murphy).
Edwin is survived by his loving wife, Beatrice Spahn, and their children: Lawrence Spahn and his wife Elizabeth, Gary Spahn and his wife Stephanie, Gerald Spahn and his wife Mary, and Robert Spahn and his wife Heidi. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Sarah, Matthew, Luke, Zachary, Brandon, Sydney, Ryan, Savannah, Mika and Ethan and 2 great-grandchildren: Reagan and Kennedy. Edwin was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin A Spahn and Marianna J Spahn. He is also survived by his sisters, Maryjane, Judy, and Rosie.