CAMDEN — Edwin “Ed” Wester died peacefully on April 5, 2017, with his family at his side, at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Predeceased by his Finnish immigrant parents, Axel and Hilda; and his sister, Helen (Desermia); he is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Marjorie (Gesner); his daughter, Faith (Hague) and her husband, David, of Camden; his son, David and his wife, Caroline, of Concord, Mass.; and his grandchildren, Andrew and Abigail.

Born Nov. 23, 1926, in Gardner, Mass., and growing up in the midst of the Great Depression, Ed was a veteran of the U.S. Army and Air Force, where he served during World War II and was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant.

He attended the University of Southern California as an ROTC candidate and graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for GE Aviation (jet engines), American Science & Engineering (aerospace, including Space Lab and the Hubble telescope), Martin Marietta and Digital Equipment Corporation. He holds patent #CA681500 A (for combustor construction).

Beginning in 1952, Ed served as a reserve officer in the United States Air Force until he was honorably discharged in 1962.

He made close friends while living in Lynnfield and Wayland, Mass., Denver and Monument, Colo., Thornton, N.H., and Camden, Maine. Passionate about skiing, he built a vacation home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Proud of his heritage, he was a member of the Finnish Congregational Church in South Thomaston, where he always enjoyed the chance to speak Finnish. A man of endless curiosity, with a kind and gentle nature and a droll sense of humor, Ed will be remembered with love.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church UCC in Camden, where he and Marjorie are members, with the Rev. Dr. Deb Jenks officiating.

A springtime internment will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery in Thornton, N.H.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Shields Mission Fund, c/o First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843 or to P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service.