Edward M Rockwell

March 18, 1921 - February 10, 2016

Edward M. Rockwell, 94, of Orlando, FL and formerly of Coloma died Tuesday, February 10, 2016 in Winter Park, FL. Services celebrating his life will be held at 1 PM on Friday, Feb 19, at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at Noon on Friday at the Davidson Chapel. Burial will follow in Coloma Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Orlando Youth Aviation Center. Please share messages, memories or photos at www.florin.net. Ed was born on March 18, 1921 in Watervliet to Earl and Marie Rockwell. At the age of 18 Ed learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training program and his interest in aviation continued throughout his life. In 1942 he married his wife, Betty Harris and have celebrated 73 years of marriage. Ed enlisted in the US Army in 1943 as a pilot and became a flight instructor. He was then transferred to US Military Academy at West Point, NY where he taught until 1946. After the war Ed started a seaplane flight school on the Hudson River which he operated for the next 11 years. He was also the owner of the Rockwell Vending Service in the NY area for 35 years. Ed's interest in building airplanes made him a very active member of the EAA Chapter 74. He built one of the first Rutan Vari-Eze planes and was featured in the news and the Today Show. In 1980 Ed and Betty retired to Orlando where he continued to be active in the EAA and started its youth program, Young Eagles. Ed leaves behind his wife, Betty; his son, Dale E. Rockwell of Orlando; his brother, Duane Rockwell of Coloma; his 2 grandchildren Dale S. and wife, Mercedes & Danielle and his 4 great grandchildren, Shayna, Matt, Jade and Paige.