EDWARD J. KOMPASS
Edward J. Kompass, loving husband and father of six children, passed away peacefully at his home in South Lincoln, Vermont on August 31, 2020, at age 93.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Amelia (Emmy, nee Heubel); children Christine and husband Kevin, Daniel, Andrew and wife Emily, Timothy and wife Kathy, Matthew and wife Lois, Julie and husband Matt; grandchildren Timothy, Brian, Ashley, Patrick, David, Sara, and Kelsey; and great grandchildren Caila, Brendan, Katie, and Lilly, and is predeceased by his beloved grandson Mark.
Ed was born on December 22, 1926 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Edward and Margaret Kompass and is predeceased by his sister Margie.
Ed served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 as Electronic Technician’s Mate Third Class on an LST helping return soldiers from the Pacific at the end of WWII.
After serving in the Navy, Ed received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, specializing in both mechanical and electrical engineering. After graduation, he worked as a designer of computer peripheral equipment and servo control systems. On June 1, 1954, he was appointed to the staff of Control Engineering magazine (published at the time by McGraw Hill). He authored hundreds of technical articles in the field of control instrumentation across a wide range of topics. Leadership, integrity, and initiative were the hallmarks of Ed’s career for over 30 years. He was the recipient of the prestigious ABP (American Business Press) Crain Award in 1986, an award honoring those who have made outstanding career contributions in editorial excellence. Ed retired as Editor of Control Engineering magazine in 1987.
On the home front, Ed was so much more than an engineer. He loved word games, puzzles, woodworking, model trains, hifi stereo, jazz music, and just about anything he could take apart and put back together. According to one family member, at one time he was in need of a capacitor for a radio repair, and he fabricated what he needed from wires and paper.
Although he had a brilliant, technical mind, we all knew him as an incredibly loving and warm husband and father.
Some words from Ed’s children and grandchildren:
“Accomplished”
“A leader in technology”
“Intelligent, yet always modest”
“Military service, successful career, great family man… could not have set a
better example”
“Thorough, respected, respectful, adoring and honorable”
“Always there, always listened, always smiled, never judged”
“The best dad a son could ever have ”
“Thanks Dad, for everything! You will be missed more than you know!”
A celebration of Ed’s life will be observed by family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Addison County Home Health & Hospice
https://www.achhh.org To send online condolences to his family please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
