When Eddie was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in August of 2023, he drew upon the Jewish tradition of “choosing life” and opted for a potentially lifesaving bone marrow transplant. The transplant gave Eddie many good months, but eventually it failed. Eddie died early in the morning on October 3rd. According to Jewish tradition, a person who dies before worship begins on Rosh Hashana is considered “tzadik,” a title given to the righteous. Some would say that his fate was sealed last year at this time, but that G-d waited the entire year—until the very last moment—for Eddie to die, because of his goodness.
Please note: Eddie did not lose a battle. He won at every turn, including his decision to end medical treatment on his own terms.
He was on lots of boards and a member of many professional organizations. He held impressive positions of leadership. He gave of himself without hesitation to people he knew and those he didn’t. He was a volunteer extraordinaire.
But Eddie simply wanted to be remembered as a good guy who always tried to do the right thing.
Edward Baker Feinstein was born 74 years ago in Detroit to his beloved parents, Avrum and Clara (of blessed memory). Along with his older sister Sunnie (of blessed memory) and older brother David, Eddie lived an idyllic 1950’s childhood on Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of the city. He was a happy kid who loved hanging out with neighborhood friends and spending time with his large, close-knit, extended Romanian family. Eddie was curious. He learned how to use tools and fix things by watching his dad and how to cook by spending time in the kitchen with his mom. He was industrious, starting his first business—a print shop he called Cub Printing—in his basement when he was 12. For years he schlepped couches, tables, and chairs in his dad’s furniture store. He sold clothes at Junior Gentlemen’s and was a delivery boy at Lou’s Delicatessen.
After graduating from Wayne State University, he and his long hair—and even longer beard—made their way in a Volkswagen bus to Madison, Wisconsin. Within a few weeks, he started hanging out with Gloria, an overall-clad college freshman from Kentucky. It was magic from the start. In no time at all, they fell head over heels in love and knew they had each found their forever person.
After graduating from Wayne State University, he and his long hair—and even longer beard—made their way in a Volkswagen bus to Madison, Wisconsin. Within a few weeks, he started hanging out with Gloria, an overall-clad college freshman from Kentucky. It was magic from the start. In no time at all, they fell head over heels in love and knew they had each found their forever person.
On September 27th they celebrated the 52nd anniversary of their first date.
Gloria and Eddie lived in Kansas City for 38 years. It’s where they raised Abbie and Max, had many close friends, were active in the community, and became full-fledged fans of both the Royals and the Chiefs. They created a warm and welcoming home, all the while continuing to nurture a love affair filled with tenderness and devotion. Years of Jewish holidays were celebrated with friends in their home, and Eddie’s brisket was always a highlight.
Professionally, Eddie worked his way up from enrollment in a “learn how to prepare income tax” class to a vice president at H&R Block, where he was beloved and highly respected. He valued hard work, but he also knew how to have fun. He became the go-to emcee for HRB roasts, retirements, and special events and gave lectures on the benefits of humor in the workplace. Ask anyone from those years about the legendary “Rapid Refund Man,” a guy in a cape and tights who frequently made appearances at national Block meetings.
Eddie’s faith was a centerpiece of his life. One of his favorite volunteer roles was that of Para Rabbinic at Kansas City’s Temple B’nai Jehudah. After extensive training, he became part of a group that assisted rabbis with congregational work. He joyfully conducted baby-namings and weddings, two of the happiest and most affirming life-cycle events. He also served as a member of the Chevra Kadisha, the society that prepares the deceased for burial according to Jewish tradition.
He was Gloria’s best cheerleader, always happy to carry her camera equipment, sing her praises at art fairs and gallery openings, and enthusiastically spread the word about her various projects. He was truly the wind beneath her wings.
Eddie retired early at 55 so he and Gloria could enjoy traveling and hanging out together full-time. He knew his health issues might prevent that if he waited too long. In 2008, they bought a place in Portland, Oregon, where they lived part-time. Eventually, they took a leap of faith and moved there permanently. He loved being a Pacific Northwesterner.
Eddie loved his family most of all. Abbie and Max, their spouses Sam and Pooja, and his three granddaughters, Hazel, Clara, and Lucy filled his heart with love and pride. All you had to do was mention one of them, and his whole face lit up. He considered Gloria’s sister Bobbie his own sister, and he couldn’t get enough of his little pup Charlie.
A gentle, reverent, handsome, humble, funny, thoughtful, wise, and highly ethical man, Steady Eddie leaves a void that will never be filled. He was the ultimate mensch. He made the world a better place. And everyone who knew him was made better by being in his orbit.
I've made countless photographs of Eddie over the years. Right now these are the ones that make the most sense to me.
