In Memoriam: TAPPI Fellow Edward Strazdins
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We honor Edward Strazdins and send our sympathy and condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. Edward passed away peacefully on September 13, 2020 at the age of 101
Our long time TAPPI member lived a life of passion and purpose. Edward was born at the end of WWI (September 19, 1918) in Nitaure, Latvia. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry at the University of Latvia, Riga, while also working at a cellulose factory. When war erupted Edward was drafted into the Latvian army. As Hitler’s and Stalin’s troops fought over the possession of Latvia, Edward decided to escape and save his life. Even while in DP (displaced persons) camps, a dedicated Edward continued to study and received his M.S. degree in Cellulose Chemistry and Paper Science from the University of Darmstadt, Germany.
In September of 1949, Edward and his family arrived in the United States, sailing into New York Harbor on a freedom ship to start a new life in America. As they landed in Newark NJ, Edward got a job cleaning chemical tanks at Dupont. He was eventually hired as a chemist by American Cyanamid; then, settled in Stamford Connecticut. From 1949 to 1985 Edward worked for American Cyanamid Company at the Stamford Research Laboratories, advancing from chemist to Principal Research Scientist in 1972.
Edward’s work was impactful in the paper making industry. During his professional career he obtained 22 US patents, 32 national and international publications on the theoretical aspects of paper sizing, strength improvement, process-control, theoretical and practical aspects of application of electro-kinetics in papermaking. Edward served as a TAPPI member from 1964 to 2007 and was a TAPPI Fellow award winner in 1977. Recipient of numerous prestigious scientific awards, Edward was invited to conferences in many countries to present his research
Edward Strazdins was deeply cherished by his children. “He gave us an adventurous childhood and was always there for us through the years of our youth and into adulthood,” they said. He will be missed by his industry, family and friends.
Full obituary: https://www.perkinsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Edward-Strazdins
