Edward Paul Trider

Edward Paul Trider passed away peacefully on January 19,2024, with the love of his life Betty, by his side. He was born on September 2, 1931, the middle child of Walter E. Trider and Rose H. (Higgins) Trider’s five children. He was predeceased by his brother James, his sister Virginia Kamb, his son Paul Trider and his stepson Christopher Olson. He leaves behind his best friend and greatest earthly treasure of 49 years, Betty (Rust) Trider of The Woodlands, TX, and his sons, Edward and John Trider, respectively of Canton and Farmington, CT and his stepdaughter, Kristen (Olson) Blackburn of Spring, TX, as well as many relatives and friends.

He grew up in the Charlestown section of Boston and jokingly complained that his middle child status meant that he never got new “stuff”. His older brother Jim got the new clothes which he then handed down for Ed to wear out so his younger brother Bob would then get all new clothes. Also, it seemed that he was too old to cry, but too young to swear. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy serving almost four years, mostly on sea duty, during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge in January 1953 he joined the American Legion. He used the G.I. Bill to attend UMass Amherst where he earned a B.S. Mechanical Engineering Degree in June 1958. He commenced his mechanical engineering career working days while continuing his university education through evening classes pursuing a Master Degree in Management offered by Rensselaer Polytechnic University which he received in June 1969.

In 1975 Ed married Betty and they raised a blended family of 5 children from both previous marriages. It was a merry, but somewhat chaotic household. Ed’s interesting engineering development work with various national companies encompassed: the design of oil refinery valves, the development of a unique diesel truck braking system, the development of military and commercial turbojet aircraft engines, as well as the development of a linear electric motor-powered magnetic levitation monorail people mover. Ed retired in 1995, he and Betty then moved to Texas. His other true love was sailing, Ed and Betty would spend their summers in Martha’s Vineyard where he spent many hours on the water sailing “Footloose” with Betty, spending time with his family and “rowdy” friends. This past summer he and Betty were so thrilled to be aboard the U.S.S. Constitution for her turnaround sail in the Boston Harbor.

Ed was a man’s man, a kind man and a family man. He was a true engineer in that any project, large or small, had to be done just right, but he guided their completion with great patience. In keeping with Ed’s wishes, he will be cremated, and his ashes will be interred at the Houston National Cemetery on Friday, February 16, 2024. A celebration of life will be held following his service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Dana Farber, donations can be directed to Multiple Myeloma Research or The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF).