Edward Lee Solenberger passed away on April 11, 2013 in Santa Rosa.
He was born October 10, 1932 in Santa Maria, California, to Clifford and Lucille (Kelly) Solenberger.
Ed spent his early life growing up in Coalinga, California, near his father's relatives. The family later moved to Humboldt County to be closer to his mother's parent's ranch near Ferndale. He was a graduate of Fortuna High School and Humboldt State College. He worked at the Humboldt Creamery in Fernbridge to help put himself through college.
Following college, Ed joined the US Army, serving in West Germany in the mid- 1950s. He became an expert pistol marksman and traveled across Europe competing in matches as a member of his command's pistol team. He returned to Germany several times later in life to visit with friends he made during his time there. He was an auto enthusiast early in his adult life, and built several hot rods and enjoyed racing them at the Samoa Drag Strip. Later, he enjoyed racing go-karts at Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale.
Ed taught music at elementary schools in Rohnerville, Hydesville, Carlotta, and Scotia in Humboldt County during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He married Normal June (Townsend) Waite on December 23, 1959, in Healdsburg, California. Ed learned piano technician and tuning skills from Bill Swackhammer in the early 1960s, and began tuning and repairing pianos part-time. He was an active member of Scotia Band from mid- 1950s through mid-1960s.
He moved from Fortuna to Santa Rosa in 1965, and taught music and elementary grades in the Santa Rosa School District until 1970. He launched Solenberger Piano Service as a full-time business in1970, and tuned and repaired pianos as a professional for the rest of his life.
He won a competitive rowboat race in the Petaluma River in 1966, beating the local favorites while competing as the mysterious "Masked Marvel." He also competed in rowing events on Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa.
Ed was an accomplished musician throughout his life, and played virtually every wind and brass instrument at one time or another. He was most accomplished with the flute, which was his specialty. He often amazed listeners with his skill at making beautiful music playing a carpenter's saw with a violin bow.
Ed was an avid model airplane hobbyist, and enjoyed building and flying many different types of model aircraft. He won numerous indoor and outdoor model flying competitions. He was also a lifelong camera enthusiast and photographer.
He is survived by a stepdaughter, Linda Marsh of Glen Ellen, and a stepson, Larry Waite of Belleville, Illinois. Internment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Eureka.
Source: Pleasant Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary
He was born October 10, 1932 in Santa Maria, California, to Clifford and Lucille (Kelly) Solenberger.
Ed spent his early life growing up in Coalinga, California, near his father's relatives. The family later moved to Humboldt County to be closer to his mother's parent's ranch near Ferndale. He was a graduate of Fortuna High School and Humboldt State College. He worked at the Humboldt Creamery in Fernbridge to help put himself through college.
Following college, Ed joined the US Army, serving in West Germany in the mid- 1950s. He became an expert pistol marksman and traveled across Europe competing in matches as a member of his command's pistol team. He returned to Germany several times later in life to visit with friends he made during his time there. He was an auto enthusiast early in his adult life, and built several hot rods and enjoyed racing them at the Samoa Drag Strip. Later, he enjoyed racing go-karts at Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale.
Ed taught music at elementary schools in Rohnerville, Hydesville, Carlotta, and Scotia in Humboldt County during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He married Normal June (Townsend) Waite on December 23, 1959, in Healdsburg, California. Ed learned piano technician and tuning skills from Bill Swackhammer in the early 1960s, and began tuning and repairing pianos part-time. He was an active member of Scotia Band from mid- 1950s through mid-1960s.
He moved from Fortuna to Santa Rosa in 1965, and taught music and elementary grades in the Santa Rosa School District until 1970. He launched Solenberger Piano Service as a full-time business in1970, and tuned and repaired pianos as a professional for the rest of his life.
He won a competitive rowboat race in the Petaluma River in 1966, beating the local favorites while competing as the mysterious "Masked Marvel." He also competed in rowing events on Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa.
Ed was an accomplished musician throughout his life, and played virtually every wind and brass instrument at one time or another. He was most accomplished with the flute, which was his specialty. He often amazed listeners with his skill at making beautiful music playing a carpenter's saw with a violin bow.
Ed was an avid model airplane hobbyist, and enjoyed building and flying many different types of model aircraft. He won numerous indoor and outdoor model flying competitions. He was also a lifelong camera enthusiast and photographer.
He is survived by a stepdaughter, Linda Marsh of Glen Ellen, and a stepson, Larry Waite of Belleville, Illinois. Internment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Eureka.
Source: Pleasant Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary
Edward Lee Solenberger passed away on April 11, 2013 in Santa Rosa.
He was born October 10, 1932 in Santa Maria, California, to Clifford and Lucille (Kelly) Solenberger.
Ed spent his early life growing up in Coalinga, California, near his father's relatives. The family later moved to Humboldt County to be closer to his mother's parent's ranch near Ferndale. He was a graduate of Fortuna High School and Humboldt State College. He worked at the Humboldt Creamery in Fernbridge to help put himself through college.
Following college, Ed joined the US Army, serving in West Germany in the mid- 1950s. He became an expert pistol marksman and traveled across Europe competing in matches as a member of his command's pistol team. He returned to Germany several times later in life to visit with friends he made during his time there. He was an auto enthusiast early in his adult life, and built several hot rods and enjoyed racing them at the Samoa Drag Strip. Later, he enjoyed racing go-karts at Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale.
Ed taught music at elementary schools in Rohnerville, Hydesville, Carlotta, and Scotia in Humboldt County during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He married Normal June (Townsend) Waite on December 23, 1959, in Healdsburg, California. Ed learned piano technician and tuning skills from Bill Swackhammer in the early 1960s, and began tuning and repairing pianos part-time. He was an active member of Scotia Band from mid- 1950s through mid-1960s.
He moved from Fortuna to Santa Rosa in 1965, and taught music and elementary grades in the Santa Rosa School District until 1970. He launched Solenberger Piano Service as a full-time business in1970, and tuned and repaired pianos as a professional for the rest of his life.
He won a competitive rowboat race in the Petaluma River in 1966, beating the local favorites while competing as the mysterious "Masked Marvel." He also competed in rowing events on Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa.
Ed was an accomplished musician throughout his life, and played virtually every wind and brass instrument at one time or another. He was most accomplished with the flute, which was his specialty. He often amazed listeners with his skill at making beautiful music playing a carpenter's saw with a violin bow.
Ed was an avid model airplane hobbyist, and enjoyed building and flying many different types of model aircraft. He won numerous indoor and outdoor model flying competitions. He was also a lifelong camera enthusiast and photographer.
He is survived by a stepdaughter, Linda Marsh of Glen Ellen, and a stepson, Larry Waite of Belleville, Illinois. Internment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Eureka.
Source: Pleasant Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary
He was born October 10, 1932 in Santa Maria, California, to Clifford and Lucille (Kelly) Solenberger.
Ed spent his early life growing up in Coalinga, California, near his father's relatives. The family later moved to Humboldt County to be closer to his mother's parent's ranch near Ferndale. He was a graduate of Fortuna High School and Humboldt State College. He worked at the Humboldt Creamery in Fernbridge to help put himself through college.
Following college, Ed joined the US Army, serving in West Germany in the mid- 1950s. He became an expert pistol marksman and traveled across Europe competing in matches as a member of his command's pistol team. He returned to Germany several times later in life to visit with friends he made during his time there. He was an auto enthusiast early in his adult life, and built several hot rods and enjoyed racing them at the Samoa Drag Strip. Later, he enjoyed racing go-karts at Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale.
Ed taught music at elementary schools in Rohnerville, Hydesville, Carlotta, and Scotia in Humboldt County during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He married Normal June (Townsend) Waite on December 23, 1959, in Healdsburg, California. Ed learned piano technician and tuning skills from Bill Swackhammer in the early 1960s, and began tuning and repairing pianos part-time. He was an active member of Scotia Band from mid- 1950s through mid-1960s.
He moved from Fortuna to Santa Rosa in 1965, and taught music and elementary grades in the Santa Rosa School District until 1970. He launched Solenberger Piano Service as a full-time business in1970, and tuned and repaired pianos as a professional for the rest of his life.
He won a competitive rowboat race in the Petaluma River in 1966, beating the local favorites while competing as the mysterious "Masked Marvel." He also competed in rowing events on Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa.
Ed was an accomplished musician throughout his life, and played virtually every wind and brass instrument at one time or another. He was most accomplished with the flute, which was his specialty. He often amazed listeners with his skill at making beautiful music playing a carpenter's saw with a violin bow.
Ed was an avid model airplane hobbyist, and enjoyed building and flying many different types of model aircraft. He won numerous indoor and outdoor model flying competitions. He was also a lifelong camera enthusiast and photographer.
He is survived by a stepdaughter, Linda Marsh of Glen Ellen, and a stepson, Larry Waite of Belleville, Illinois. Internment will be at Ocean View Cemetery in Eureka.
Source: Pleasant Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary
Inscription
SOLENBERGER
1927 NORMA J. 2005
1932 EDWARD L. 2013
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