Edward Lewis Fidler, 74, of Prescott, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Ed was born in Canton, Illinois, on December 26, 1951, the 4th of 5 children born to Leonard G. and Alice (Glynn) Fidler. He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Elizabeth Nooyen; their children, Erin, Ryan (Samantha), and Matthew; and his sister, Kathy Fidler.

Ed grew up on a farm in Illinois where he was able to run around and explore with his siblings and cousins, and he always enjoyed sharing stories of their escapades. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Platteville, where he met Liz and they were married on January 29, 1977, in Clyde, WI, which began their lifelong adventures together. Inspired by the opportunity to wear blue jeans to work, he earned a Master’s degree in mining engineering from Montana Tech and went on to build a successful and rewarding career in mining that took the family to 6 cities in 4 states. Driven by a love of learning, Ed also earned an MBA from Vanderbilt University and never stopped pursuing knowledge and new challenges. He often said that a person should learn something new every day and joked that he would still be in school if only he could find someone to pay for it.

Ed was an exceptional engineer with a creative spirit and a genuine appreciation for art. He completed thermodynamic calculations to select a heater for his workshop and tracked the weight of his truck and camper to the pound before a trip through Alaska. He also painted the front door of his home yellow on a whim and has a line from an 1848 poem printed on his workshop wall. He was a talented woodworker, a long-suffering Cubs fan, and a world traveler who also loved puttering around at home. He had incredible love and patience for his kids, always willing to share advice with them about anything on their minds, including home projects, finances, how to deal with difficult people at work, and fantasy football. Though often quiet and never one to seek attention, he was memorable for his authenticity, kindness, and generosity. He had a strong sense of values and lived them without compromise.

Ed is so loved and will be deeply missed.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia A. Leezer; his brothers, Larry and Richard; and his stepmother, Alice M. Fidler.

Cremation has been accorded and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.