Obituary of Edmund Ernst Kilga

Edmund Ernst Kilga left us on May 16, 2011. Ed was born in Chicago, September 18, 1938 to Ernst and Hermina Kilga who were both native Austrians. Ed spent the first 9 years of his life growing up in Altach, Austria. When he finally moved back to Chicago, he entered the 5th grade without speaking any English. He spent the rest of his youth growing up in Chicago, eventually graduating from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. Boeing offered him a job even before he graduated, so he drove out to Seattle after graduation to start the next chapter of his life. While enjoying bachelor hood in Seattle, he met Teresa Kerns. They were quickly married and enjoyed the next 44 years together. They had 4 children, daughter Erika and sons, Paul, Peter, and Karl. Ed eventually took a job with Tacoma Public Utilities in 1970, where he worked as a Licensed Professional Engineer until his retirement in 1995. TPU brought Ed and Teresa to Tacoma in 1973, where they lived in the same house for the next 38 years. Ed had many passions in his life, including the outdoors. He climbed Mt. Rainier in 1969 and introduced many friends and family to hiking and climbing in the Cascades and Olympics. Ed was also an avid downhill skier dragging his family all over the western U.S. and Canada in his VW bus exploring different resorts. Ed continued to ski through his senior years, mainly while visiting close friends just outside Bend, Oregon. Ed also loved being out on the water, particularly cruising around the San Juan Islands. After Ed retired, he and Teresa started traveling. They spent the next 17 years traveling all over the world, visiting 6 different continents many times over. Ed was fortunate in his later years to be able to visit and reconnect with so many old friends and family from his earlier life. He treasured his time with so many friends from past and present. Ed’s biggest passion of all was his family. With 4 active kids, he and Teresa were always busy carting kids and friends to and from whatever activities they were involved in. This never seemed to slow down as he continued to do so for many of his grandchildren during his retirement. Ed appreciated, perhaps more than anything, to be so actively involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. Ed leaves behind his soul mate and wife of nearly 44 years, Teresa, sister Loretta Klaus (Frank), daughter Erika Davis, sons Paul (Wendi), Peter (Corissa), and Karl (Deanna), grandchildren Brianna, Danika, Andrew, Travis, Claire, Cate, Finn, and Piper, and many friends. Ed will always be remembered as the generous patriarch of our family, always there to lend whatever was needed. While passing is always too soon, we are all so grateful to have had the time and memories we share with him. We love you Papa. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center (253)566-1008