OBITUARY: Former Space Program Executive Edwin Hideo Yoshida, 97, Passed Away May 5

Ed's distinguished career in aerospace included supporting the USAF and NASA efforts

Ed was recognized for his contributions to the space program with many prestigious awards over the years. He retired in 1992 as the Finance Manager for the Space Shuttle External Tank Operations at Kennedy Space Center.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Edwin Hideo Yoshida, 97, of Indian Harbour Beach passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 5, 2024, Ed was born on May 21,1926 in Paia, Maui to Bunkichi Yoshida and Kamato (Shinsato) Yoshida, who had immigrated to Hawaii from Okinawa.

Ed graduated from Makawao High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Army in May 1946 serving in Post-World War II Occupational Forces in Austria and Italy. With benefits from the GI Bill and encouragement from his older sister Janet, Ed enrolled at Tri-State College in Angola, Indiana and received a BA in Finance in 1953.

After graduation Ed moved to Chicago and met Earline Gill from Titusville, Florida at the YMCA. They played ping-pong, fell in love and married on July 3, 1954.
After their first two daughters were born Ed and Earline moved to Brevard County, FL where Earline had grown up.

Employed by Martin Marietta, Ed held various financial positions. After four cross-country moves with a growing family, Ed, Earline and their five daughters settled in Satellite Beach in 1968.

Ed’s distinguished career in aerospace included supporting the USAF and NASA efforts – Titan, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs. Ed was recognized for his contributions to the space program with many prestigious awards over the years. He retired in 1992 as the Finance Manager for the Space Shuttle External Tank Operations at Kennedy Space Center.

A man of many talents, Ed was hardworking, generous and had a great sense of humor which he passed on to his five daughters. He enjoyed the game of golf, surf fishing, card games, traveling, Hawaiian music and fun-filled family gatherings. Proud of his Hawaiian upbringing, he always loved returning to Maui to visit.

His last visit was to celebrate his 90th birthday in a beautiful setting in Upcountry Maui with his large, extended family and dear old friends.
Ed was preceded in death by his sisters Janet Kaneshiro and Gladys Yokoyama.

He is survived by his wife Earline of 69 years, daughters Sherry (Bob) Atkins, Karen (Rob) Hansen, Robin (Rick) Fort, Joy Yoshida (Steve Starr), Sandi (José) Patiño, brother Ken (Kiyoko) Fukuhara, sisters Elaine (Henry) Sato and Kimi (George) Okamura, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A family celebration of life gathering is planned on Maui at a future date.

Special thanks to the staff at Zon Beachside, VITAS Hospice and Chateau Madeleine Senior Living for taking such good care of Ed during these last two years.

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