EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

Edward M. Londe, former manager of the men’s department at Famous-Barr stores, and later with the real estate fulfillment department at Citicorp, who started writing poetry at the age of 60, died late last month (Friday, Dec. 30, 2005), at the age of 82. Graveside services were held at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road, where Mr. Londe was fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a success in business, a late blooming poet, and for his wisdom and kindness.

Rabbi Mordecai Miller of Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel Congregation, where Mr. Londe was an active member, officiated at the funeral service. Carl Londe, Mr. Londe’s son, and longtime friend and fellow writer Howard Schwartz, also spoke.

Edward Michael Londe was born in St. Louis on April 26, l922, the son of the late Simon and Etta Londe, who died a number of years ago in New York City. Rabbi Miller took note of Mr. Londe’s devotion to his family, including his wife, Martha. “They were devoted companions and soulmates for half a century,” Rabbi Miller said.

Edward and Martha Londe’s children include the late Gary Londe; Carl (Elizabeth) Londe and grandsons Gregory and Jordan Londe. Mr. Londe’s siblings include Ruth (Ted) Koski; Alfred (Doris) Londe; Shirley (Jesse) Gilbert; Annette (Dr. Jerome) Gilden and Tobie (Charles) Liebert.

After graduating from McKinley High School in St. Louis, Mr. Londe joined the U.S. Marine Corps; his service included three years of combat in the South Pacific in World War II. Rabbi Miller noted that “Ed and his sisters helped out his widowed mother; Ed’s father died when he was in his 40s. Ed sent all of his service paychecks to his widowed mother to help out.”

Martha Londe’s sister Diana (born Dina) had come to St. Louis with a child rescue group at the beginning of the war; they were placed in the home of Louis Goldford. After the war, Diana arranged some dates for Martha and Eddie Londe, noted Rabbi Miller. They were married on Sept. 26, l948, by the late Samuel Thurman at United Hebrew Congregation.

Edward Londe worked most of his life managing the men’s department at Famous-Barr, first at the downtown store, and later at South County. After undergoing bypass surgery at 60, he retired, the same year he began writing poetry. At 65, he came out of retirement to work for Citicorp, a position he held until he was 80.

His poetry writing career was inspired when he heard Howard Schwartz, professor of English at the University of Missouri St. Louis, speak at the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival.

Schwartz said, “It turned out that Ed was secretly a writer. After a while he sent me some of his stories and I was staggered. They read like authentic folktales. Ed had come to writing late, and his diamonds needed polishing, but there was no dobut that they were diamonds.”

In addition to his wife Martha Londe, Mr. Londe is survived by his son Carl Londe. He was the grandfather of Gregory and Jordan Londe, and the brother of Annette Londe Gilden (Dr. Jerome) and Tobie Londe Liebert (Charles).

Burial was in the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Contributions in Mr. Londe’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.