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<em>Alan Miller Edwards</em> was the only child of Charles Thomas and Mary Miller Edwards. Soon after marriage, Charles contracted tu­berculosis and became an in­valid. When Al was born, his mother Mary was the bread win­ner in the household. Al learned early to work diligently around the home to lighten her load. Graduating with honors from East Denver High School, he obtained a congressional ap­pointment to West Point from Colorado Senator Edwin Johnson. Al was one of the youngest of the Class of ‘55 to enter the Academy on 2 Jul 1951.</p>
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He took the system and academics right in stride as he truly was a hive all 4 years. The Ski Team, German Club, and <em>Howitzer</em> Staff were some of his activities. Al and his smile were an un­beatable combination. Upon graduation, Al was commissioned into the United States Air Force.</p>
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During Primary Pilot Training at Marianna,</p>
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FL, Al married his New York drag, Edith L. Grill. Al received his pilot’s wings in August 1956 at Greenville AFB, MS, and flew the F-100 in two fighter squadrons before moving to Boston for graduate school. After two years at MIT earning a master’s degree in aeronautics/astronautics, they moved to the Air Force Academy.</p>
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For two years, Al was Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanics. Then they spent two years at Stanford where, in 1965, he was awarded a Ph.D. in aeronautics/astronautics. They returned to the Air Force Academy for two more years in the Department of Mechanics.</p>
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In 1967, Al attended the USAF Aerospace Re­search Pilot School at Edwards AFB, CA, remain­ing on the staff of the Test Pilot School there. In 1970, he was with the 614th TFS in Southeast Asia, serving, the latter part of the tour, as Opera­tions Officer. He flew 265 combat missions in Vietnam in the F-100 Super Saber and was awarded two DFCs and 14 Air Medals for his combat mission accomplishments.</p>
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In 1971, he was Air Force representative to the National Aeronautics and Space Council, Execu­tive Office of the President. When the office was abolished in 1973, he served on the Joint Techni­cal Coordinating Group for Aircraft Survivability and, in 1974, was Military Assistant for Interna­tional Programs, Office of the Secretary of De­fense. Al left the military in 1975, joining Figgie International Inc. as Manager of Systems Analysis. He was Divisional Program Manager for a heli­copter store’s management/fire control system. He helped diversify a division in the coal mining in­dustry and was instrumental in developing and marketing an electrical power aircraft pushback tractor that was the first in the industry. In 1977, he was general manager of a concrete mixer division, charged with phasing down operations at one location, moving the facility and capabilities to another site, and starting operations during a corporate consolidation. In late 1978, Al was Cor­porate Program Manager for the XM29 protective mask during development and acquisition.</p>
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Al left Figgie in 1987 and moved to the An­napolis, MD, area, forming his own company, Edwards Affiliates, Inc. He was engaged in new business development and on-the-spot marketing representation and assistance to electronic and digital imaging firms engaged in DoD business.</p>
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Al and Edie’s home on the Severn was the site of memorable class 4th of July gatherings as well as the weekend “home” for the many Naval Acad­emy Midshipmen they sponsored. They had fun imparting Army and Air Force spirit into these fu­ture admirals.</p>
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In 1988, A joined the Air Force Scientific Ad­visory Board, remaining a member until his death.</p>
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A man for all seasons, A imparted to us his enormous interest in all facets of life. If you had a problem, A was always there to help make it right with the least pain or suffering. Aways ready to strike out and do new things, his leadership style was one of definite conviction, but he was open to constructive concepts. A was a positive person. Always searching for means to make things hap­pen, A was never heard to say an unkind word about anyone.</p>
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If you had Al as a friend, he was your best friend. If you were handicapped, he was your comforter. If he was your classmate, he made you proud of the shared experience. If you were “D,” he was your professor. If you knew him as a mili­tary compatriot, he was the ultimate professional. If he was your relative, he gave you a sense of re­spect, love, and love of family.</p>
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Throughout his mature life there was one con­stant source of support—Edie. Wife, friend, mother, grandmother, she was foremost in his ev­ery thought. Jim and Richard, his sons, have Al’s love for fishing and hunting and the talent to fix anything. Karen, his daughter, has Al’s take-charge attitude and attacks any problem with vigor. All 3 are driven to complete any project to perfection. And Edie, the solid bedrock, quietly manages to heal the bumps and bruises for this vibrant family.</p>
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Al’s last words were so like Al, always exploring the edge of the envelope, and serve as his epitaph, “The fish are so wonderful on this side of the reef. I wonder what they are like on the other side?”</p>
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Al was a giving person in life and in death, con­tributing parts of his body to others. He left us a legacy of integrity, intelligence, determination, en­thusiasm, compassion, leadership, faith, wit, friendship, patriotism, devotion, dedication, and unfailing love.</p>
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To say good-bye to our best friend, we can only say, “Aloha, till we see you again on the other side of the reef in eternity!”</p>
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<em>In memory from Al’s loving family and, all of his many friends</em></p>