Edward Rondthaler III

Our beloved father, brother, uncle and friend, Edward Rondthaler,104, passed away on August 19, 2009 in Cedar City, Utah. He was born June 9, 1905 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to Howard E. and Katharine Boring Rondthaler. Edward married the love of his life Dorathy (Dot) Reid in 1930, spent 72 happy and productive years together with her, and we are certain a joyous reunion is taking place as she preceded him in death in 2002. Together they had three sons whom they adored, Edward Jr., Timothy and David Lee.Edward spent his youth in Salem, North Carolina and proudly lived in his Sears Roebuck home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York for many, many years until relocating to Cedar City, Utah to be near his son Edward IV and his wife, Carolyn, whom he always considered his own daughter as he did his son Timothys wife, Mary Pat. Edward always credited his long and healthy life to clean living, good genes and regular cold showers. In an interview with CNN some years ago, Ed stated, When my brother in 1918 came home from the army, he said, Ed, whenever you take a hot shower, end it with an ice cold one and count to 100. When your older brother tells you to do something, you do it. Edward received his first small printing press at the age of 5, thus starting his hugely successful career in the graphic arts. He was a true pioneer in the field of photographic typesetting and co-founded Photo-Lettering, Inc, and International Typeface corporation which furnished manufacturers of photographic, electronic and laser equipment a plethora of superb typefaces. In later life, he promoted spelling reform of the English language as a means of fighting illiteracy and was an avid historian.Edward was a true giant of whatever community he lived in " in particular, his more than 67 years of community service in Croton-on-Hudson, New York continuing right to his speaking at the 2009 Southern Utah University Commencement ceremonies in 2009 and his solo singing in the kazoo band at the Emerald Pointe Assisted Living facility in Cedar City, Utah. He was a dedicated and active member of the Morovian Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.Many lives and careers are forever changed for the better for Edwards life. His love lives on in his children and in each of us. Dad, we love you and will miss you dearly.Edward is survived by his son, Timothy (Mary Pat) Rondthaler of Menlo Park, California, his daughter-in-law Carolyn Rondthaler of Cedar City, Utah, and his six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Dorathy and sons Edward IV and David Lee, he is preceded in death by both his parents, sisters Jane McFagan and Elizabeth Hays and his brother, Theodore Rondthaler.A funeral and celebration of Edwards life will be held Friday, August 21, 2009 at 3 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary, 190 North 300 West, Cedar City, Utah. Internment will be in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at a later date.In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Emerald Pointe Assisted Living facility in Cedar City, Utah.