In Memoriam -- Ed Eglinski

Sandrat Trail Run, October 1996

From Deborah Altus

Such sad news! Ed was at my house yesterday for our regular Sunday morning Mad Dog walk/run, walking with my husband Jerry, Doug, Pam, Bernie, and others. We enjoyed a lovely, sunny May morning outing, followed by bagels, coffee and conversation. I'm glad he was active until the end, but will certainly miss him a great deal. I am sending my deepest condolences to Pam and the kids.

The Sunday morning group, June 2015; Ed at left in white cap

From Lisa Dorrill:

In the early 90s, I was uniquely fortunate to both run with Ed (the noonday and Sunday runs) AND be a graduate student in the department of art history. I loved the Sunday runs the most (with Ed, Mike, Doug, Cheryl, Deborah, Dick, and Jeff as the usuals). We went slowly and socialized--and then pigged out on muffins or donuts and something hot to drink. I would buy half and half especially for Ed and try to offer him the mug that was closest to a porcelain teacup in our grad student collection (he had his standards).

Though I never had Ed as a professor, I enjoyed working for him as a grader and he taught me how to write a decent exam. He once gave me some of the best advice I ever received, of a typical Ed variety. On a Sunday run, days before taking my Ph.D. comprehensive exams, Ed sensed that I was stressing. He told me not to worry, that all I had to do was “get one point above failing.” Of course Ed wasn’t suggesting I bomb the exams (and in fact I received honors). His point was to see the bigger picture and put things in perspective. While our department had its share of high-strung grad students and faculty members, Ed was not one of them. He had a gentle worldview that allowed him to enjoy life to its fullest and really appreciate the important things in life.

Over the years I have shared Ed’s advice with students who were feeling anxiety, and it always made a difference. Those were some very joyful days for me and for David, who ran with the Sand Rats and the MadDogs. We miss you all and send our love to Pam and the children.

Ed and Lisa, Sunday morning run, 1994

1985 MadDogs run; Ed front row, 4th from left, behind Emily Roth

Bob back row between Grover (red shorts) and Morrie

From Peter Lorenzi:

I met Ed around 1979. I was new in Summerfield, and just joining up with the Mad Dogs at Tony Redwood's encouragement. Ed turned out to be an excellent running companion, a convivial host for Sunday morning runs, a philosopher on the life of running, and always a good conversationalist. One of the things I enjoyed most was his being able to bridge that gap that almost always exists between faculty in business and those in arts and sciences. There was no gap there. 

And perhaps it's the sweet taste of that Sunday morning  poppyseed cake after a great levee or Lecompton run. 

A true original Mad Dog. Three loud bark outs for a mentor, a good man, and a solid runner. 

Ed with Jim Brewer, 1993

From Mohamed el-Hodiri:

I will miss you dear friend Ed. I will remember all the good things you tried to teach me:

"it is always downhill; do not spit in the wind (or on my new shoes); stop the communist polemics; the Amalfi is the best pizza place in london." You will be happy to learn that I haven't forgotten, even though I learned little. I am happy to have been your best in at least one marriage (you were scraping the bottom of the barrel!), now what?

From Mike Ettredge:

I remember running with Ed on the Mad Dog's "Team Z" back in the early 1990's. I also remember when he had to quit running due to knee or leg problems. I think he took up walking and maybe stationary bicycling at that time. I remember visiting his home one time, I suppose for a Mad Dog social. I also remember that he liked to wear a very nice crimson and blue KU jacket when it was cool. There are never enough really nice guys in the world, and there is one less now. Best wishes to Ed's family.

From Deborah Faurot:

Dave and I both ran with Ed and will miss him. He always encouraged me as a beginning runner, stayed with me, and opened new vistas to me. I remember a trail run on west campus when it was still woods. He was kind and engaging with wonderful stories. I am glad he was active until the end.

Give Pam and family our condolences.

Best wishes,

Debbie and David

From Ed Payne:

One day, while we were running along, someone asked which was the most discouraging hill in Lawrence.  All of the nasty hills, 14th St being one of the consensus choices.  But Ed thought Louisiana St was the worst.  He pointed out that is just seems to go on so far.  I didn't comment but it has always stuck with me.  I share his opinion of Louisiana St. hill.

I don't have the words to express how saddened I am by this news.

From Jim Orr:

I am shocked and very much saddened by Ed's loss. We will miss a devoted runner who brought a bit of class to a group of noon-day Maddogs.

My deepest condolences to Pam.

From Linda Blair Resovsky:

Oh no!

From Dennis Rosen:

I just saw the news.  I'm shocked and very sad to hear of Ed's passing.  Ed was one of the first I met when I started with the group in the mid-80s.  He was always fun to run with and talk with.  He was one of the originals and an original.  My condolences to Pam and the family.

From Jim Halle:

I typically would not want to write a group email to 110+ people, but it appears that this note warrants such an audience. Evidently, Ed touched many lives which reflects both Ed¹s quiet sensitivity and his impact on the running group over a period of more than 40 years.

I wish I could remember a specific memory on a particular occasion when I ran with Ed (between the years 1976-1980), but my memory has never been a strong asset. However, I do have a more general sense of Ed as a consistent presence in the group, a mainstay. He was wise in ways of the world and, as represented a ³father² figure for some of the younger folks joining the group.

Finally, although others have mentioned it, that he walked with the Sunday group in the morning and died at 6pm the same evening is precisely my wish for those I love and for myself. As I approach the 70 year mark, I¹ve seen parents and friends who languish for months (even years) .

Ed appears to have lived life fully to the very end. I realize at this time this is little consolation for Pam and their children. Although I never knew them, I am thinking about them today (as well as about Ed)!