Edward John Cushing

Age 88, passed away from complications of Parkinson’s July 19, 2022, under hospice care and surrounded by loving family.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carolyn, children: Richard, Caren, Tim (Judi), Amy Freyberger, Sarah Korzenowski (Peter), and five grandchildren.

Born in St. Louis, Ed grew up in rural Missouri. He attended Washington University where he earned a degree in Geology and met his future wife. He had a passion for the natural world and for the order and challenging questions of science, and after a brief stint in the Army, he decided to keep learning. He came to the University of Minnesota for graduate school to study the effects of glaciers on the landscape, and later joined the faculty. He remained at the U for his entire career.

Ed never stopped learning and moved from Geology to Botany to Ecology as his research interests developed. He loved working with students and served many times as Director of Graduate Studies. Unfailingly generous with his time, he was both an exacting editor and a kind advisor. His research focused on analyzing pollen deposits to track the history of climate change, in coordination with scientists across the world. Much of this work was in Minnesota, but his interests also took him to Denmark, North Wales, and Indonesia. His family especially enjoyed the many summers he spent teaching at the U of M Biology Station in Itasca State Park.

Ed retired from the department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior in 2006. His last paper was published in 2011.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 27th at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 3115 Victoria St N, Roseville. Visitation at 10:00 AM, service at 11:00 AM, followed by lunch.

Memorials to the Minnesota Orchestra or the Bell Museum.