Edmund “Ed” R. Eglinski
Share
“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince: And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” Rest in peace, Edmund R. Eglinski (1931 – 2017).
Edmund Eglinski, Professor Emeritus, Kress Foundation Department of the History of Art, University of Kansas, passed away on Sunday, May 7th at his home in Lawrence, KS of a heart attack.
Ed was born in Lorain, Ohio in 1931. Ed attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio and graduated with degrees in art and education. He taught fourth grade in Lorain until he was called to active duty with the Air Force. Ed was an intelligence officer in the 32nd Air Defense Command, during the Korean War, and was stationed in Syracuse, NY.
After leaving the Air Force, he attended the University of Iowa to obtain an MFA in art and later, a Ph.D. in Art History. After graduation from UI, Ed was hired by the University of Kansas where he spent his entire career teaching. While teaching at KU, he traveled as a Fulbright Scholar to Florence, Italy—cementing a lifelong love of Italian Renaissance art. He retired in 2001, and enjoyed sixteen wonderful retirement years.
Ed was very active in his retirement; with the encouragement of his good friend Bernie Kish, Ed joined the Jayhawk Rotary Club and thoroughly enjoyed the comradery and professionalism of its members. Ed painted a great deal in his retirement, enjoying oils, acrylics, and watercolors. The subject matter ranged from mountain scenes in the tradition of Cezanne, to quickly dashed watercolors in his own distinct style.
Ed and his wife Pam enjoyed traveling abroad and domestically. Ed’s favorite hill town in France was Vence—a charming medieval village high above Nice. He called it “heaven on earth.” He was also a devoted dog owner and greatly enjoyed walking his dog Lucy.
He is survived by his wife Pam and their daughter Summer Eglinski and her husband Silas Gray of Lexington, KY; his previous wife Georgann Hanson Eglinski and her husband Ron Schorr of Lawrence, KS; his son Michael Eglinski his wife Mary Jones of Lawrence, KS; his son Stephen Eglinski, his wife Annette Ferdinandsen, and their two children, Atticus and Vivian of Clinton Corners, NY. Additionally, he’s survived by his great nephew Jason Gasser, his wife Jennifer, and their children Emma and Andrew; his great niece Erika Stewart, her husband Matt, and their children Evan and Ethan.
He was pre-deceased by his father Edmund L. Eglinski and his mother Mary Eglinski of Lorain, OH; his sister Doris Butler of Wilder, Kentucky; his niece Lynette Gasser of Wilder, Kentucky.
In memory of Ed’s passion for art and travel, contributions may be made to the KU Endowment for The Edmund Eglinski Prize for Study Abroad in Art History and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence.
I have known Ed since the early 1960s, so he has been a friend and a pillar in my life for more than fifty years. He was a friend and mentor to us all, and we were blessed to have known him. I am very sorry to learn that he has passed on. Deepest condolences to all family, friends, and colleagues.
Dear Pam,
I was so sorry to hear this news. As you know, Ed graciously did some mentoring of me when I was a student long ago including editing my first ever published book review before I submitted it. He also served as a reader on my dissertation committee, and though his area was not Asian art, he was most perceptive. Please stay in touch and do come visit me in Colorado, so we can go hike the RMNP together.
Pat Graham
Ed was my big brother as I pledged in 1951 to the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Bowling Green State University. We had drifted apart over the years, but did make contact by letter when he was at KU. As we both shared an interest in art, Ed offered to take me along on one historic art tours in Europe. I’ve always regretted not going along to see the sites, but also missing the opportunity to renew our friendship from BGSU days. I belatedly pray the family be consoled, comforted and blessed by God to know we most certainly will be re-United in Heaven.