Edward P. Oppenheimer

Edward P. Oppenheimer, 82, of Ellicott, Maryland, formerly of Moline, Illinois, died Wednesday, July 9, 2014, in Dove House Hospice, Westminster, Maryland.

Private family services and burial next to his son, Eric, will be at a later date in Des Moines, Iowa. Memorials may be made to the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Green Baum Cancer Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore MD 21201. Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, is assisting in local arrangements.

Edward Phillip Oppenheimer was born June 6, 1932, in Moline, to Alfred E. and Nina Harrington Oppenheimer. He graduated from Moline High School in 1950, and Iowa State University in 1955. He married Ellen Olmsted on December 26, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa. After serving two years as an Ensign in the United States Navy, he returned to Moline to work for the family business, Harrington Signal Company. While there, he was instrumental in the design and development of municipal and military fire alarm systems in Merritt Island, Florida, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

He returned to Iowa State University in 1957 to earn his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering. He then worked for Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Laurel Maryland, where he was involved in computer programming for the military and guidance systems for the space program, including the Polaris Missile program. After retiring in 1997, he enjoyed using the internet to keep in touch with family and friends. While growing up, he enjoyed bass fishing with his family, and since moving to Maryland, he was a sports fan, especially the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles.

Ed is survived his wife, Ellen; and two brothers and a sister-in-law, Donald A. Oppenheimer of Moline and Gene and Deanna Oppenheimer, of East Moline, and their families. He was preceded in death by his son, Eric Oppenheimer, and sister-in-law, Nancy Oppenheimer.

Ed's family invites friends to share stories and condolences and light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.