NEWPORT NEWS — Edward Eugene Austin was born in 1945 and passed away Thursday, July 29, 2021. He was accompanied to heaven by the love of his life and wife of 52 years, Lorraine Paula Austin.
Ed grew up a “baby boomer” in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Lyle, an accountant, and Bernice, a secretary who was the youngest of 10 children and born on an Iowa farm. Ed and his younger brother Mark were raised in a shoe-box sized house on the north side of town. Ed’s childhood was defined by neighborhood play, the only supervision being to “return home when the streetlights came on.” At an early age Ed realized he had the responsibility to mix his own pitchers of Kool-Aid, and that his selected sugar-to-water ratio was not being monitored (a fact on which he later blamed cavities).
At North High, Ed was nominated to represent his school at the Optimist Luncheon, held by the Des Moines Optimist Club. The luncheon was the highlight of the club’s Youth Appreciation Week of 1962, in which members sought “to convince the public that the majority of the youth in Des Moines were the type of citizens they could be proud of.” Ed was chosen on the basis of the award’s criteria; “continual service to the school, not necessarily for flashy or brilliant deeds.” A more perfect award might never have been designed for Ed and his lifetime of service.
Ed excelled at engineering and earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Iowa State University in 1967. Later that year while working as an engineering co-op in St. Louis, Ed met the love of his life, Lorraine Zelinski. According to Ed, he met Lorraine in the cafeteria and recognized her the next day because she was again wearing the same outfit. Ed’s sense of Midwestern practicality must have been peaked because he promptly invited Lorraine (who had finished her first year at Bucknell and was in St. Louis for a summer program) on a date to play tennis. The new couple submitted entries to a matchmaking survey but never retrieved the results, instead electing to remain blissfully ignorant of whether their compatibility was confirmed by scientific research.
At the end of that summer, Ed assumed his romance with Lorraine had concluded when she departed for her sophomore year at Bucknell, a world away in those times. It was a delivery of Welsh cookies (baked and mailed by Lorraine) that made him realize their relationship would endure!
Ed embarked on his greatest journey of love and service on June 15, 1969, marrying his sweetheart, Lorraine. They celebrated their 50th anniversary in San Jose, Calif., in what was to become their last in-person visit with their sons, daughters-in-law and all grandchildren in the same place at the same time. The included picture was taken on July 22, 2021, with the caption, “Today we took a sentimental walk down memory lane. The concrete bench at the base of the statue of St. Louis where we began to fall in love is gone! The lagoon with fountains was our view from that bench.”
Upon completion of his Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1970, Ed accepted an offer to become a civil servant at the Applied Aeronautical Technology Division (AATD), supporting helicopter systems development at Fort Eustis. Over his 37 years there, Ed embodied the role of a servant-leader, participating in the development of Army helicopter design and modeling software, leading the Piasecki Aircraft X-49 high speed helicopter demonstration program, leading the AATD Structural Test Laboratory and retiring as the engineering design and analysis branch chief.
As a husband, his commitment to and support for his wife Lorraine was beyond reproach. Early in their marriage, Ed famously suggested, “Why don’t I earn a regular income and you save the world,” encouraging Lorraine as she founded the Peninsula’s Habitat for Humanity chapter in 1985. As a father, Ed dutifully and enthusiastically joined his sons as their escort to swim team practices and soccer games, classmate in karate, coach of basketball teams, volunteer at church youth group suppers and car washes, and cheerleader at all events in which his boys participated. Much to his sons’ chagrin, Ed demonstrated that no event was really over until the last table and chair were put away, the last dish washed, the last light turned off, and the last door locked.
For years, Ed held keys to Hidenwood Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder, deacon, youth basketball coach, Sunday school teacher and the assistant treasurer. Ed’s journey in faith led him to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where, in 2013, he was confirmed as a member and recommitted to the responsibilities of baptism.
An engineer at heart, Ed’s most-enjoyed hobby was maintaining and upgrading his “Frank Lloyd Wright inspired dream house” on Crittenden Lane in Newport News. He eagerly monitored for flaws that might indicate an opportunity for repair or upgrade, the most recent being new patio space, stairs, handrails and landscaping. When Lorraine went fishing, Ed happily spent the day anticipating her return by raking leaves or spending time woodworking in his shop. He found satisfaction in simple accomplishments and completion of necessary tasks. Ed viewed a day wasted unless he was “making progress” on a project and dutifully issued updates detailing tasks completed, each concluding with his favorite quote, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” By C.G. Jung.
In retirement, Ed volunteered regularly with Habitat for Humanity, served as the Vertical Flight Society’s webmaster and publicity chair, fed the homeless, built bunk beds for children in need, and performed countless acts that were neither flashy nor brilliant, but represented continual service to his family and the Hampton Roads community. Ed was a member of CNU’s Lifelong Learning Society, and he enjoyed attending musical performances and social events, typically while wearing bright-colored party shirts. An avid trailer-camping vacationer, Ed and Lorraine took numerous multi-month trips together and reveled in seeing new places and visiting old friends. His sense of humor would have dictated that, had he desired a traditional burial, the man with the “BRN2TOW” license plate would have wanted his headstone engraved with, “Died Towing.”
Ed is survived by his sons, Lawrence and Daniel, their wives, Holly and Gwyneth, and seven grandchildren. Larry and Holly, of Great Falls are parents to Luke (17), Peter (15), Mark (13), Timothy (10) and Rose (7) Austin. Dan and Gwyneth, of New Orleans, La., are parents to son Emmett (3) and are expecting Margaret Lorraine Austin, who is due Dec. 25, 2021. Ed is survived by his younger brother, Mark, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Lorraine’s younger brother, Joe (Lisa) Zelinski of Easton, Pa.; as well as their children, George (Tori), Susan, Amy and Carla.
The Austin family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug 13, at the Mariners’ Museum. Party shirts honoring Ed and bright clothes honoring Lorraine are encouraged. Flowers may be sent directly to the site of Lorraine and Ed’s memorial in advance of the service, to be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 14, at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church, 414 Hiden Blvd., Newport News. All are welcome to attend the service and stay for a reception immediately following. Childcare will be provided. The service will be livestreamed to separate areas within the church to provide for social distancing for those who require it and will be online for those unable to attend. Masks are encouraged for unvaccinated attendees.
Gifts in honor of Ed are welcomed by a charity or faith-based institution of your choice or may be donated in his name to Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, P.O. Box 1443, Newport News, VA 23601; and St. John’s Episcopal Church, 100 W. Queens Way, Hampton, VA 23669.
Share online condolences with the family at Weymouth Funeral Home.
