Victor “Ed” Rylander

April 17, 1921 – May 12, 2015

From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:

With heavy hearts, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association announce that Victor “Ed” Rylander of San Diego, CA, left formation on 12 May 2015 at age 94. Ed was a 335th navigator. He passed away after a brief illness. Folded wings.

As Mr. Rylander’s obituary reads,

“He was born April 17th, 1921 and was initially raised in a small Northern Chicago, IL, suburb. The son of Victor and Eleanor, Ed soon moved with his family (including sister Annabelle) to Gary, IN. Upon graduating High School in 1939, he worked several small jobs as a telephone lineman and steelworker before joining the US Army. Ed served through the peak of World War II as an officer and B-17 Navigator based in the United Kingdom.

“After the war, Ed departed the newly formed US Air Force and graduated from Purdue University with a Mechanical Engineering degree. Before accepting a position with Convair in San Diego, CA, Ed met and married the former Lucille Pavicic in 1954. He continued his love of Engineering while supporting the US Missile and Space programs, Shell Oil Drilling, and he retired as a civilian engineer at North Island Naval Base in 1985. Ed also continued his love of flying and navigating while serving in the US Air Force Reserves until his retirement in 1981.

“Throughout his very long and enjoyable retirement, Ed and Lou traveled the country in their Ford Truck and Alpenlite Trailer. Ed is survived by his wife Lou, son Jim, and daughter Luann.