Edward Huth

Edward Huth, Detroit’s favorite son, was truly the kindest prank ever played on April the first.

Born on April Fool’s Day, 1952 to Howard and Audry (Donoghue) Huth of Winthrop Street, his sister, Sue, remembers Ed as a quiet, thoughtful kid with an eager smile. His father worked for the city of Detroit’s social welfare department and his mother, later, as a bookkeeper at a local hospital. In 1963, only 11 years old, Ed lost his father to a heart attack, an event which informed his lifelong commitment to diet, exercise and getting 10k steps well before it was fashionable.

Ed attended Cody High School in Detroit, where he excelled in both his classwork and sport. He played center for the school’s football team and in 1969 was the only athlete from his school named to the Detroit Free Press All-City League First Team. The following fall, his high school accomplishments merited Ed the choice between academic and football scholarships at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). He hung up his shoulder pads to focus on a degree, receiving a B.A. in Psychology in three years.

From there he moved to Kalamazoo, MI for graduate school, earning both his M.A. and Ed. Spec in School Psychology from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!). The friends Ed cultivated and the mentors he benefitted from throughout his university days would continue to be lifelong friendships.

Following graduation Ed began serving as the district School Psychologist for Galesburg-Augusta Schools for 31 years. He was passionate about his work, helping both students and teachers realize their potential. He was a co-founder of WMU’s Direct Instruction Conference and influenced educators from around the country.

Early in his career, a colleague convinced him into agreeing to a blind date with her friend, Judy. The serene Yin to her sociable Yang, they hit it off and married a year later on the snow-covered afternoon of February 6, 1982. Their first son, Christopher arrived in December 1983 and their second, Alexander, in February 1988. Ed adored fatherhood. He took to it like the 2004 Pistons took to a playoff game and spent his school-year summers off treating his boys to trips to libraries, museums, beaches and zoos. His regular professional trips for conferences in Direct Instruction often had the whole family packing bags to enjoy travelling together to Eugene, Oregon.

His love of sports was legendary. Ed played softball, basketball (shout out to the Blazers of the mid-80s), tennis, pickleball and of course, golf. Lots of golf. So much golf. A passionate member of his golf league, Ed began organizing annual golf trips to northern Michigan with friends, some of whom continued the tradition for over 35 years.

A true native of Detroit, Ed’s early idea of foreign travel was a quick dip into Windsor for Molson Canadian. Judy had slightly grander aspirations for their travel itineraries however and she surprised him with tickets to England for the family’s first international vacation in 1996. A fried haddock and a shandy later, Ed was the first to admit he not only enjoyed the novelties and sometimes mis-adventures of travelling abroad but also the chance to expand his boys’ horizons at a young age.

The family also enjoyed visiting Ed’s sister and her family in Maine on many occasions. After retirement, Ed and Judy enjoyed spending part of each winter in Sarasota, golfing and hanging out with all of their snowbird friends.

Over subsequent years Ed and Judy would host three year-long high school exchange students: Jeetesh from New Zealand, Federico from Argentina and Kenji from Japan. All three would become welcome members of the family, and Ed and Judy had the opportunity to visit New Zealand for Jeetesh’s wedding to his beautiful wife Usha in 2009 and again in 2023 to celebrate Jeetesh’s 40th birthday. The opportunity to maintain this wonderful connection over the years was, as the kiwis say, Sweet As.

Ed and Judy were active volunteers with Global Ties Kalamazoo, hosting over 100 foreign visitors for home stays over the years. The resulting friendships only enhanced their love of travel, and they’ve been fortunate to visit some of their guests in their home countries. For a guy who thought the sun rose at the Ambassador bridge, Ed’s passport sported stamps from a dozen European countries, Mexico, Peru, China, NZ and of course, Canada (including Vancouver and Victoria!).

Ed was never happier than when he could spend time with his boys. He was so proud of the men that they have become and he loved them with all his heart. Trips to visit Chris in New York City were a highlight of every year and Alex brought new joy to the family when he married Ariel in 2022. Ed was so thrilled to welcome Ariel and relished the chance to spend time with the two over home cooked meals and the occasional golf outing.

Some may have thought of Ed as the quiet one of the group. Others knew him for the social shark he was, waiting for his chance to pounce with the perfect zinger. Still waters do indeed run deep. He was thoughtful, deliberate, patient, ever dependable and always kind. He believed in and tried to cultivate the best in those around him. He will be missed terribly by those who loved him. Truly one of planet earth’s greatest works, 10/10, no notes.

Ed Huth, age 72, of Portage died on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 after a brief illness. Members of his family include his wife Judy, 2 children: Chris and Alex (Ariel); his sister Sue (Denny) Harmon; a dear exchange student, Jeetesh (Usha) Mistry and numerous friends and colleagues. Please join us for a Life Story Service on Wednesday, November 13, at 4 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception where food, drinks, and stories will be shared will be held immediately following the service in the Life Story Center. Donations may be directed to Centrica Care Navigator or First Tee West Michigan. Celebrate Ed’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.