EDGAR A. FICKENSCHER
Edgar Arthur Fickenscher, longtime resident of Lawrence Park, Erie Co., PA, but more recently a resident of Virginia Beach, VA, died March 19, 2015, having enjoyed life for nearly 95 years. In October 2012, he sold the home in Lawrence Park where he and his wife Verna had resided for 66 years and reared three sons, and moved to First Colonial Inn in Virginia Beach.
Mr. Fickenscher is survived by his three sons, David Edgar of Cortland, NY; Donald Arthur of Virginia Beach, VA; and Roger Paul of Issaquah, WA; and two daughters-in-law, Rita Murray Donald and Carol Moore Roger, nine grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 71 years, Verna Vrooman Fickenscher, in 2014; an infant daughter, Janet Marie; and his parents, Arthur August and Emily Hoffmann Fickenscher, of Buffalo, NY.
Ed grew up in Buffalo, NY, and married Verna on her family’s dairy farm in Sherman, NY. He graduated in 1942 from the Apprentice Program at General Electric -Erie Works, where he retired in 1985 after 47 years of service. Ed served his country during World War II by developing and producing the machinery of war first, steam turbine electric generators for destroyer escorts, and then jet propulsion engines with General Electric in Syracuse, NY. He and Verna moved to Lawrence Park, PA from NY in 1945, and occupied the same home on Smithson Avenue near the shore of Lake Erie for 66 years. Ed and Verna worshiped at Trinity Lutheran Church in Erie as loyal members for nearly 70 years, where Ed served in many capacities. He later attended Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Kings Grant.
In addition to a lifetime of traveling with his family, Ed participated in the Scouting program with his sons, enjoyed bowling, sailing on Lake Erie, and continued to fly his Cessna 172 out of the Moreheadville PA airport as an octogenarian, with his beloved wife Verna as co-pilot and family photographer for more than 40 years.
Ed’s body has been cremated and his ashes will be transported to the Community Cemetery in Sherman, NY for interment together with the mortal remains of his wife. A memorial service will be conducted at a later time by the family, who wish to thank the assisted living staff at First Colonial Inn for their compassionate care for our parents, and Gentiva Hospice for its assistance in Dad’s final days.