Recent Obituaries

Edward Eugene Liesse, 88, of Federal Way, WA, passed away July 1, 2024. Ed had been in declining health for several years and died from a degenerative disease of the nervous system, aggravated by complications from a fall. He was born September 15, 1935, and grew up in Whiting, IN, graduating from Whiting High School in 1953 and earning a BS in Industrial Education and an MS in Education from Purdue University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

Various high school retail jobs led to Ed’s becoming a familiar face at Neal Price’s Firestone Store before leaving for Purdue. After college, Ed worked at Western Electric in Cicero, IL, and then taught school shop classes in Griffith, IN.

Ed joined United Airlines as an instructor at their Maintenance Base near San Francisco in 1966 and taught Instructor Training at various locations. He retired from United as Manager of Maintenance Training in 1994. While with UAL, Ed served on an Air Transport Association (ATA) maintenance training panel with representatives from other airline and aircraft manufacturing industries. He was a member of The Emerald City Slickers, Seattle’s chapter of RUAEA, the Retired United Airlines Employees Association.

Ed’s lifelong interest in railroading stemmed from his growing up near the mainline tracks of major railroads along the shore of Lake Michigan. He was a member of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) for over 70 years, earning honors from the national organization, its Pacific Coast and Pacific Northwest Regions and local divisions.

Ed married Gay Gehrke in 1957 and they raised their sons in San Mateo, CA. They were active in the Hillsdale United Methodist Church, and Ed chaired financial committees at the Northern California/Nevada Annual Conference. After retirement, Ed and Gay moved to Federal Way, WA, to be near family. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, sons Dave of Federal Way and Ken (Karen) of Kent, WA; grandsons Alan (Samantha) of Albany, OR, and Brian of Kent; great granddaughters Bella, Emma, Amelia (AKA Millie) and Nora, all of Albany; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Anna Stiller Liesse, and his sisters Elvira McCaig, Lucille O’Rourke, and Melanie Liesse, as well as nephews and cousins.

No services are planned at this time, but, if desired, memorial gifts may be made to the National Model Railroad Association at PO Box 1328, Soddy Daisy, TN 37384-1328.