Lasting Memories

Edwin Frank Laak
Oct. 10, 1929-Dec. 18, 2021
Los Altos, California
Submitted by Signe Boyer

Edwin F. Laak Obituary

Edwin F. Laak, died December 18, 2021 of complications due to Parkinson’s Disease, at age 91, in Palo Alto, California. His loving wife, Signe, was with him.

Ed was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Clementine Joiner and Edwin Laak, a Lieutenant in the US Navy. He grew up with his identical twin brother, Frank, and his younger brother, Jack, until his middle school years when the family moved to San Diego, CA and then to Bremerton, WA. Returning to Hawaii for his high school years, Ed graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947. He attended Stanford University, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering, and later with a Masters degree in Business.

Ed dearly loved his four children: Bruce Laak, Damariscotta, Maine, Kristin Laak, Sebastopol, CA, Kent Laak and wife Denise, Point Reyes Station, CA and Colin Laak, Vaschon Island, WA ,and two grandchildren: Luna Artega Laak and Liam Laak.

Ed is also survived by his younger brother, Jack, (Lynn) Pasadena, CA and his wife of forty years, Signe Boyer, and her children Elizabeth Silva (Frank) Napa,CA, Neil Aronson (Belle) Ventura (CA), and three Silva grandchildren: Sofia, Scott and David.

Ed served as a Lieutenant in the Navy for six years during the Korean War. Part of that time he was in a submarine. He was the officer on duty on the ship USS Doyle during the filming of the movie Caine Mutiny. After his service, he worked for Ampex and was a fundraiser for the engineering department at Stanford University.

Ed’s true love was being in nature, hiking, mountaineering and birding. He was an avid reader, volunteered for environmental issues, and ready for any outdoor adventure. One of his adventures was hiking to the top of Mount Whitney with his three sons when he was 70 years old! He was active in Amnesty International and a committed volunteer.

All of us who loved him knew him as being curious and interested in life, always learning as much as he could. He was a good listener with no judgements and no agenda. Truly a humble man.He was generous of spirit, kind, open minded, genuine, and accepting. He will be sorely missed.