Edward Walsh

Edward J. Walsh, 85, of Rochester, MN died Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Saint Mary's Hospital. Edward John Walsh was born February 13, 1935 to Harry and Susan (Pregler) Walsh in Dubuque, IA. He graduated in 1953 from St. Columbkille High School in Dubuque, IA. After high school, he attended Loras College in Dubuque and graduated with a B.S. in Physics in 1957. Following college, he joined the U.S. Army and worked at Redstone Arsenal as a physicist from 1957 to 1959, and received a Good Conduct Medal. He worked for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory Naval Space Surveillance System from 1961 to 1967, where he met his wife, Patricia Gavin. They were married on November 15, 1965. He then began work for IBM, and lived in Bowie, Maryland, Parsippany, New Jersey and Olney, Maryland. In 1976 the Walsh family moved to Rochester, MN where Mr. Walsh continued to work for IBM as a programmer. He retired from IBM in 1991. In his free time, he volunteered for Channel One Food Bank, was a member of the Kiwanis Club, tutored students at RCTC and was an amateur radio operator (W0EJW). Edward is survived by his wife, Patricia Walsh of Rochester; and two daughters, Ellen Walsh of Arlington, VA and Teresa Walsh of Golden Valley, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, William and one sister, Blanche Lenger. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at St. Pius Catholic Church. Inurnment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Channel One Food Bank of Rochester, MN (helpingfeedpeople.org). Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes is honored to be serving the Walsh family. To leave a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com "My dad is a mechanical genius, he can fix anything."