Tribute to a Renaissance man

    0
    108

    Ed Stotsenberg was a Renaissance man. Most of us live our lives not knowing someone like Ed . . . someone whose generosity and vision can change the world around him. Ed and his lovely wife, Dorothy, worked hard during their more than 60 years of marriage to create a hugely successful accounting business. While they didn’t have children of their own, their donations to universities, community colleges, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and other such organizations have had a direct impact on young people all over the southern California area. His love of guitar motivated him to establish an international guitar competition at Pepperdine with talented guitarists competing from all over the world. Ed was a man of vision.

    His and Dorothy’s home is filled with awards they have been given over the years–one of those awards was the Dolphin Award given the two of them in 1999. While I am sure he was grateful for the recognition they both received for their numerous contributions, I am equally as certain that he contributed, because he felt it was the right thing to do. Ed liked making a difference–and he did.

    He was a master runner and both he and Dorothy raced in the Senior Olympics in Australia where each won a medal in their very first race. Ed coached my husband and several others twice a week at the Stotsenberg track on the Pepperdine campus. He was a tough coach and constantly cajoled his “students” to be diligent and run faster and harder.

    He coached like he led his life: diligent, fast and hard. He was a determined man who didn’t suffer fools gladly. He was funny, smart, handsome, and sincere. He was well read, well spoken and well educated. He was an inspiration to those who knew him.

    Dorothy has lost a remarkable companion; Malibu has lost a leading citizen; California has lost a Renaissance man; and we have lost a friend.

    John and Pat Cairns