Edward I. Blend, 79, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away May 20, 2017. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in the chapel at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery; burial followed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sharsheret (a nonprofit organization that addresses the needs of Jewish women and families facing breast cancer and ovarian cancer), 1086 Teaneck Road, Suite 2G, Teaneck, NJ 07666, online at sharsheret.org or call 866-474-2774; Kehilath Israel Synagogue or a charity of one’s choice.
He was born July 17, 1937, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Joe and Tillie Blend. Ed lived in San Antonio, Texas, and moved back to Omaha his senior year of high school.
On Oct. 15, 1961, in Omaha, he married Irene Winer. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1965 where they continued to reside.
He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1988 by going to night school for six years. Ed earned honors in Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gama Sigma. He was also in the U.S. Navy for four years.
Ed worked as an electrical engineer for Honeywell, Puritan Bennet and Airgas. After retirement, he was also a management assistant at Marillac, KU Health System.
Ed was president of ISOA — Instrument Society of America 1995-1996. He was president of the Kansas City Triumph’s Sports Car Club for four years, 2013-2016. Ed was a very devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was most proud of his daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Ari, and his three grandchildren.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Irene Blend; daughter and son-in-law: Marlene and Ari Lubowicz; grandchildren: Sam, Ally and Rachel; sister: Bonnie Blend, niece: Lauren Friedman; and a very loyal circle of best friends.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arrangements by The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.