Edward A. Saunders

EDWARD A. SAUNDERS Brigadier General, U. S. Army (Retired) Ed Saunders died on March 6, 2013, In Viera, FL. He is survived by his wife of 66 yeas, Jean, plus four children and seven grandchildren. Gen. Saunders was born March 30, 1925, at Manilla, Iowa. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1946 and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. In Sept, 1946, he married Jean Riley of Dow City, Iowa. During his 38 years of active duty, Gen. Saunders served in Germany (twice), Korea, Japan, New Mexico, Kansas, and New York. He earned a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and a Ph. D. in Nuclear Science from Renssalear Polytechnic Institute. He was Professor and Head of the Department of Physics at USMA for 23 years during which he earned the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal and was named Professor Emeritus. Gen. Saunders and his wife lived in Indian River Colony Club, in Melbourne, FL for the past 18 years. They have four children and seven grandchildren. A son and a son-in-law have served full careers in the U. S. Army (both were full colonels). A daughter served as a major in the Medical Corps. Two grandsons, Andrew Baker and Edward ""Ted"" Baker, have served as Army officers including three tours in Iraq. A celebration of life service will be held at Colony Hall at IRCC at 4 PM on Friday, March 22. Interment with full military honors will take place at the West Point Cemetery at a later date. Contributions in his memory may be made to Fisher House, a charity dedicated to helping military families in need.