Obituary of Edward A Sziklas

Edward A. Sziklas, 87, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, at Sussman House in Rockport, ME. Born in Boston, MA, he graduated from Williams College in 1951, received an M.S. in mechanical engineering at M.I.T. and earned a Ph.D. in Physics from Yale in 1964. He worked as a theoretical physicist at the United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, CT and at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in West Palm Beach, FL. In 1986, he received the George Mead Medal for Engineering Achievement for successfully combining lasers for increased beam intensity. He approached life with a scientific curiosity and a passion for learning. He was an avid sailor, skier, gardener, student of history, collector of antique maps, woodworker and world traveler. He cruised the New England coast and the islands of the Bahamas with his wife Ann and their three young children on their sailboat. After his retirement in 1990, he and Ann moved to Camden where they continued to explore the coast of Maine from the water. He was active in the Camden Yacht Club, took classes at the Wooden Boat School, helped build houses for Midcoast Habitat for Humanity and became an increasingly proficient woodcarver and furniture maker. He was never without a project or a plan. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 61 years, Ann B. Sziklas; their children, Karoly S. Gutman and Hank Gutman of Brooklyn, NY, Edward B. (Ted) Sziklas and Laurie Sziklas of Hopewell Junction, NY, and Amy S. Durrett and Mac Durrett of Atlanta, GA; and their seven grandchildren, David, Jonny and Sarah Gutman, Caddie and Will Durrett, and Charlie and Ben Sziklas. He also leaves behind his brother Robert W. Sziklas of Nantucket, MA and his identical twin brother Dr. John J. Sziklas and Jean Sziklas of Simsbury, CT; and his devoted corgi Zsuzsi. There will be a gathering to remember Ed at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in his name to Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, the Sussman Hospice House or a charity of their choice. Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. Memories and condolences may be shared at directcremationofmaine.com.