Ed R. Lidvall, Jr.

Ed R. Lidvall, Jr. passed away peacefully and with his family Sunday December 26th, at the Shannondale Health Center in Maryville, TN. Ed was born August 5th, 1923 in Fort Dodge Iowa, the first of two sons of Ed and Hattie Lidvall. He grew up there on the family farm, where he developed a life-long appreciation for agriculture and animal science. After volunteering for military service in the Army Air Corp in 1943 - where he was a bomber pilot and flight instructor - he received a B.A. from Iowa State University in Animal Science in 1948. It was during his college days that he met Dorothe (Dee) G. Hausmann, who became his wife, and began a love affair lasting over 60 years. Ed received a master's degree from the University of Tennessee, and went on to become a tenured professor of 39 years. He earned many distinguished teaching awards, including the 1978 UT National Alumni Assoc. Outstanding Teacher Award. "Prof" or "Lid" - as he was called - was a nationally recognized livestock judge; and won national championships as both a team member at Iowa State and coach at the University of Tennessee in 1962. "Prof" also served as national president of his fraternity - Alpha Gamma Rho; and Progressive Farmer magazine named him Man of the Year in 1988. Ed is survived by a loving and thankful family, including his wife Dee, his three grateful sons and daughters-in-law..Van and Janet, Dale and Cindy, and Ned and Melody. Most importantly to him, he is also survived by his five adoring grandchildren..Carly, Kristin, Eric, Patrick, and Ned Gabriel. Per his request, funeral services will not be held...but rather Prof's memory should be celebrated individually by the countless students and friends - whose lives he so meaningfully touched. Ed will be remembered, missed, and appreciated for the dedication, effort, love, and caring he committed to his many 'life roles'. If the quality of a life can be measured by the depth and number of one's life-roles, then Ed R. Lidvall lived quite a life as - Son and Brother, Dad and Pops, Grampa, Teacher and Counselor, Coach, Athlete and Teammate, Leader, and above all - Husband and 'Sweetie'. If desired, memorial donations can be made to the following: University of Tennessee AGR Scholastic Endowment Fund, 110 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4502; Alcoa First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 617 Gilbert St. Alcoa, TN 37701. On behalf of Ed, the family thanks you for your generosity. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ed R. Lidvall, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.