Edward Siergiej Obituary

Siergiej
Edward S. Siergiej
January 14, 1928
September 19, 2023

Retired Commander Edward S. Siergiej, 95, passed away on September 19, 2023.
He is now reunited with his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary, who died in 2018. He is survived by their children, Nancy (Zack) Hill of Colorado Springs; Wendy (Andrew) Rasmussen of Colorado Springs, and David Siergiej of Temple, TX; grandchildren Kelsey (Matthew) Bardwell, Stacia (Taylor) Williams, Maryn (Nathan) Forney; and eight great-grandchildren.
Ed was a distinguished and accomplished man. He entered the U. S. Naval Aviation program as a Cadet and later became one of the Navy's first Aviation Midshipmen and flew many different types of aircraft during warfare. He went on to serve in many different capacities in the Navy and earned numerous military decorations and medals until his retirement as a Commander in 1968. He then entered private industry and eventually started his own business. Ed was awarded the nation's highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, in 2015.
Having lived through the Great Depression, Ed highly valued education as a gateway to success. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering as well as Communications Engineering, a Master of Arts Degree in International Affairs, and an MBA degree in Business Management.
Ed was an extremely motivated individual with an insatiable curiosity about life and stayed busy even throughout his retirement. He held an instrument qualified commercial pilot rating and he and Mary enjoyed taking cross-country trips in their Mooney airplane. He enjoyed woodworking and gardening, watching football and baseball on TV, solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles, and took great joy in watching his hummingbirds return year after year.
Ed's family was his first and foremost priority and he always strived to do his best for them. Out of his many accomplishments, what he hoped to be remembered for most was as a good husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He will also be remembered for his life of service and dedication to his country. He had a sharp intellect and a great sense of humor. He was a good man with a life well spent and will be missed by many.
Retired Commander Siergiej will be buried next to his wife Mary at Arlington National Cemetery where service arrangements are pending.