Edward D. Podmore

Edward D. (Ed) Podmore, age 96, died May 29, 2009 at Stormont-Vail Hospital. Born November 4, 1912 in Anderson, Indiana to Edward (Ted) and Grace Podmore, he spent his earlier years with family in Texas and Oklahoma and was a graduate of Tulsa Central High School as a member of the National Honor Society. His family returned to Indiana in 1933 and he completed his education at the University of Cincinnati, earning a BA degree in 1936. Returning to Anderson after graduation, he worked several years for the Delco-Remy division of General Motors, the Indiana State Treasury Department, and until 1947, the Lynch Corporation. During World War II, he served five years as a non-commissioned officer in CO, B, 1st Infantry of the Indiana State Guard. He was married to Juanita Flynt in 1943 in Anderson. She preceded him in death February 11, 2005. Survivors include a daughter, Anne Fund, Topeka, two granddaughters: Victoria Slusser and husband Alan, St. Charles, Missouri; Amy McLean and husband Ishmael, Houston, Texas; and three great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jaden, and Stephen Slusser, St. Charles, Missouri. Also, a sister-in-law, Adina Flynt, Anderson, Indiana. Returning to the Midwest in 1947, he moved to Topeka to become a field representative for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas, where he remained employed in several staff positions in the Marketing Division for thirty years. He retired in 1977 as Manager of Marketing Administration. From 1978 to 1996, he was employed by Catholic Community Services of Topeka as Assistant to the Executive Director. He was an active participant in community affairs, being co-founder and first president of the Public Relations Society of Topeka and a charter member of the Friends of the Library. He also served twelve years on its Board of Directors and two terms as its president. He was an early member of the board of Hospice of Topeka) now Midland Hospice Care), serving eight years including two terms as president. He was co-founder and charter member of several Friends support-type organizations: the Friends of Hospice and the Friends of catholic Community Services, both of which he served as first president. Also, he was a co-founder of the Topeka/Shawnee County Library Foundation and was a trustee and its secretary for thirteen years. He was editor of two newsletters: the Friends NEWS for the Library for ten years, and the Allegro for the Topeka Symphony Society for five years. He also was a board member of the Topeka Symphony Society for eleven years. At various times he held memberships in the Public Relations Society of America, Topeka Kiwanis Club and the Downtown Optimist Club. Since his second retirement, he has served three terms as Resident Council president of Atria Hearthstone West Retirement Community and was a member of its Executive Board for eight years. Cremation is planned. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2nd in Klasse Chapel of the First United Methodist Church, Topeka, where he was a member since 1947. Memorial contributions may be made at the donors choice to the First United Methodist Church, the Public Library Foundation, or the Friends of the Library, all of Topeka.