Edmund F. Bloedow
September 17, 1930 – January 21, 2019

In his 89th year, peacefully, at the Ottawa Heart Institute, after many years of complicated heart troubles, Edmund went home to his Heavenly Father on Monday, January 21. Beloved husband of the late Audrey Bloedow, his wife for 39 years.

Loving father of four sons: Timothy (Lynette), Stephen, Philip and Jonathan (Sheila).

Grandfather of Ulyn, Daniel, Alexander and Christopher.

Great-grandfather of Ashley, Brianna, Devon, Emerie, Forrester, Jayden and Jacob.

Dear brother of Renate and Herman. Predeceased by his siblings John, Christa and Ruth.

Edmund will be remembered for his keen intellect, sharp wit, hard work and very generous heart. Above all else, his strong faith in, and steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ.

Born and raised in Killaloe, Ontario, a son of immigrants from Germany, he showed great drive from an early age. As a young lad he went door to door selling seeds. As a teenager one day while working on the family farm, he decided he wanted more from life. He educated himself, got an education, and went on to get his Ph.D., surprising his father and thrilling his mother. He attended the University of Toronto and Emmaus Bible College in Chicago.

Edmund was a teacher in Thunder Bay, Ontario and Beirut, Lebanon before moving to Ottawa. He worked at the University of Ottawa as a professor of ancient history in the Department of Classics for over 30 years. He taught Latin and Greek. He was also a professor at Augustine College for over 20 years.

He loved to teach and was still teaching at age 88 after a long and illustrious teaching career. He didn’t retire until December 2018. He enjoyed the large class, a small class of students, and teaching pupils one on one.

He loved reading and was still reading a book a week to the end.

He loved to write. Nearly 100 peer-reviewed articles he wrote were published.

He enjoyed writing poetry, and could write long, clever, entertaining poems for weddings and anniversaries which he would recite by heart, making everyone laugh.

He also liked photography, working outside, and chopping wood. At age 87 he could still chop wood for four hours in a day. He loved to travel and visited many countries around the world during his lifetime. He loved life and lived it to the fullest.

He was a model problem solver with an oft repeated slogan, which is now the legacy statement of a gifted man, tough as nails and generous to a fault, ambitious and indefatigable: “All You Need Are Ideas.”

Above all else, his strong faith and steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ.