I knew his face before I knew his name...

I don't remember exactly when I met him but I know it couldn't have been too long after my family first moved to town in the late 1970's. 

I knew his face before I knew his name.

Growing up in the local school district 'family' with my dad as the principal at Jefferson and then as the junior high principal, so many of the #117 staff became like extended members of my family. 

Ed Baldwin was one of those people. 

I went through elementary, junior high, and then graduated high school here. 

My husband, Ed, and I went to school with Ed Baldwin's son, Eddie. Our four kids went to school with Ed's grandson, Eddie. 

My Ed and Eddie Baldwin played football together. 

The Senior Ed Baldwin would always be watching from the sidelines. 

Two of our sons played football with Ed's grandson, Eddie.

The Senior Ed Baldwin was still watching from the sidelines. 

I knew his face before I knew his name. 

As I grew up and eventually began to work and to coach within the district, I got to know Ed beyond just recognizing him in a crowd.  

He always treated me like one of his family. 

When I coached at Turner, we would often be in the building early mornings and late nights. Ed would come in the gym and talk to me while I set up the volleyball nets. Or, I'd go seek him out as he was sweeping the floors in some part of the building and we'd catch up. 

I'd begin to notice that he would seem to know our practice schedules because the lights (which would take a long time to 'warm up' in those days) would be on before I'd get to school. On the really cold winter mornings, he'd make sure the heat was on so the girls would be able to practice without seeing their breath with each exhale. 

We became friends. 

We talked about the years he had worked with my dad. 

From early on, I would hear my dad say that the heartbeat of any school came from the secretaries and from the custodians.

Ed Baldwin used to tell me he never forgot that. He said he had felt respected during those years and he was grateful to be appreciated. 

Ed taught me that everyone in a building has a purpose and is important in the overall equation. Schools truly are families and Ed was a prime example of going above and beyond for those he cared about. 

I learned so much about the history of Turner from Ed.

He'd tell me about the early years at the junior high and the incredible moments he'd witnessed throughout the years. Even though I had been a student at Turner, I saw the building through Ed's eyes with each story he told. 

He was a treasure.    

A quick decade passed by and I stopped coaching and Ed moved to another building.

I would see him from time to time and we would always be sure to stop and talk. 

Ed was one of those people who, even though you might not see him that often, once he took you under his wing...you were there to stay. 

One of the last times I remember seeing Ed was at a JHS football game where he was working the pass gate. 

My husband and I walked up and Ed was sitting in a lawn chair. He saw us coming over to him and he got up. We both smiled and gave each other the hug longtime friends give after extended time apart. 

It brought me right back to those coaching days at Turner. So many hours spent with this man and the warmth and kindness he showed me then came flooding through my memories. 

Reading about Ed's passing on Facebook, I felt my heart skip a beat as I read the news on someone's post. 

How could this man, who was larger than life for me and countless others, really be gone? 

My thoughts immediately went to my former classmate, Eddie, and then to his son, Eddie. A long line of Edward Baldwin's. Thoughts also went to my friend, Mindy, for her tremendous loss.

Life has a way of moving on and, sadly, we lose people we love. 

I pray for comfort and for peace for son Eddie and grandson Eddie in the days ahead. For all of those who knew and loved Ed. 

To the man whose face I knew before I knew his name...Ed Baldwin...you became a man whose image is permanently etched in my memory. 

And, in my heart. 

I will never forget you, my friend.

It is what it is.

p