Edward G. Siebert passed away quietly on Monday, March 28, 2012.
He was the son of Philip A. and Dorothy Horn Siebert, formerly of Great Neck, NY, and Alexandria, VA.
Ed lived a long and very full life. His first wife, Margaret H. Currie Siebert, passed away in November of 2000. Ed remarried in August, 2001, Elisabeth Ford Siebert. Elisabeth passed away on March 23, 2012.
He is survived by his three children: daughter Carolyn D. Bobsin and husband, Ralph, of Mission Viejo CA; daughter Jeanne E. Peifer and her four children: Bethany, Brian, Valerie and Christopher of Westerville, Ohio; and son Philip E. Siebert and wife, Deborah, and their two children, Jennifer and Timothy, of East Islip, NY.
He was born in Great Neck, NY on Dec 30, 1923. He is predeceased by sister Doris Maple and brother Philip Siebert.
He grew up and was educated in the Great Neck NY public schools. He graduated with a BSCE degree from Purdue University in 1944. Upon graduation he was employed by Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage NY. It must have been a good fit since he stayed for over 44 years. His work career started as a structural engineer and evolved into engineering planning. That led to a 15 year stint in corporate planning. Next came 5 years leading the development and integration of sophisticated computing systems. His last assignment was dedicated to improvement of corporate productivity, with particular emphasis on relations with the U.S. Navy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA.
Edward married Margaret Hope Currie on September 1, 1949. They raised their three children in Huntington, New York. Ed was an avid gardener and grew all sorts of vegetables but his pride and joy was his rose garden. His roses won awards at rose shows. Other hobbies included collecting stamps. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cold Spring Harbor, NY.
Upon retirement he moved to Chapel Hill, NC. Ed immediately set out on a retirement career of volunteer work for Chapel Hill and Orange County. He served on the Orange County Economic Development board for six years. Other appointments included the transportation boards for Chapel Hill and Orange County, the latter as chairman.
On a social scale he was active as a board member and officer of the Chapel Hill Country Club and played golf on a regular basis. Ed also became an active member of the triangle stamp club, thereby continuing his lifelong passion for stamp collecting.
In 2000 he moved to Croasdaile retirement community in Durham. Edward loved the community and made many friends. His years there were happy and joyful.
Ed’s memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, April 2, 2012 in Few Chapel at Croasdaile Retirement Village.
Friends may visit with the family following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1737 Hillandale Road, Durham, NC 27705 or American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305 www.apdaparkinson.org.
Arrangements for the Siebert family are under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. On-line memorials: www.hallwynne.com. Select obituaries.
Judy Crumpler
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Mr. Siebert when your mother died. I would go to Croasdaile Village and see him and always admired his “green thumb” and could sit and listen to his words of wisdom for hours. When he told me he was marrying Elisabeth, he was so excited that she had come back into his life. Mr. Siebert was one of the nicest people I have ever worked with. I know you are proud of your Dad’s accomplishments in life and the legacy he leaves behind. May God wrap his arms around you and give you peace during your time of loss.
Kate Fitzgerald-Lewis
In every picture I have of Ed, taken during our visits to him and Peaches, he is laughing. We met him through her, after they reconnected, and came to value his kindness, sense of humor, energy and knowledge about so many things. The party in heaven just got more interesting. Our condolences go out to his family; he was very proud of you, and spoke of you all whenever we were there.