Edward P. Preisendorfer

Retired U.S. Army LTC Edward Paul Preisendorfer 96, of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed away on January 15, 2025, in his home with son Gary, daughter Sherrill and caregiver Sergio present. 

Ed was born August 17, 1928, in New York, New York, the son of immigrants German Casper and Ukrainian Natalia Preisendorfer. A hard worker from a young age, Ed would walk to school and check a line of traps he had set to catch beavers for pelts to help support his family.

Ed graduated from Hackensack High school in 1946, then went on to college at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. He worked full time in the day while taking a full unit load of night classes. This conferred an ineligible for student deferment status, and when the Korean War broke out, Ed was drafted into the U.S. Army before he could graduate. 

Ed served as an aviator, first as a forward gunnery observation pilot flying a single engine L-19 Bird Dog. He was eventually sent to OCS, allowed to finish his degree, and received his commission as an officer.

Ed continued to serve as a test pilot, eventually rising through the ranks to become commander of Army Test Activity at Edwards AFB. He tested numerous aircraft, including several helicopters like the Hughes OH-6 Cayuse, Huey AH-I Cobra and the Lockheed AH-56 Cheyenne. 

Highlights of his career include joining an American expedition to train West German pilots to fly their first ever helicopters, survival training in the Alaskan wilderness, multiple tours in Asia, pioneering the first tests of thermographic imaging to detect enemy infantry, and piloting with his wingman the final military flight of the last two P-51 Mustangs in service across the country for their official decommissioning. 

While serving, he met his first wife Joan, and together they had 3 sons, Mark, Steven, and Gary. Ed's career lasted all the way into the Vietnam War, and following his first tour there, he retired after 20 years at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. 

Afterwards, Ed moved to Tehachapi, CA with his three sons and began his post military life dabbling in real estate and automobile sales before finding a job in aviation with Rockwell where he worked on the development of the B-1 bomber. He was also employed by Hughs Helicopter during the development of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, and was responsible for designing part of the iconic aircraft.

While living in Tehachapi, Ed met the love of his life, schoolteacher and master of textile crafts Carol Elizabeth Kraft (nee McKechnie) and soon after, they married on October 1, 1971 at the small Yosemite Valley Chapel in Yosemite National Park. He welcomed Carol's children from her first marriage, Daniel and Sherrill and became a fully blended family. 

Upon retiring, Ed and Carol purchased a motor home and began a long series of trips that would take them all over, and outside of the US.

 Ed and Carol lived in Tehachapi until 1995, when they decided to move to Grants Pass, Oregon and work at fashioning a house with a breathtaking view of the Rogue River Valley into the wonderful home they had both dreamt of. 

Ed and Carol joined the Grants Pass Newcomers club, where they made many friends and participated in numerous social activities. They were avid readers and members of a large local book club. They also joined a local RV club that would caravan to various locations for golf, wine tasting, camping, and other social activities. Ed and Carol spent their golden years globetrotting alone as well, taking trips to China, Ireland, and many places in Europe. 

They loved hosting large gatherings of their blended family and numerous celebrations at their picturesque hideaway on Shadow Hills Drive near the famous Robertson’s bridge. 

Ed and Carol were philanthroplically involved with the Grants Pass Boys and Girls club and were generous in their donations and funding. The library at the club was dedicated to Carol following her passing. Ed continued to regularly support the Boys and Club the rest of his life and after. 

Ed loved the outdoors, fishing, hiking and golf as well as reading and traveling with Carol. He combined several of these activities when he climbed Mt. Whitney and hit a golf ball with his 7 iron from the summit. 

He achieved a milestone in golf by shooting his age while in his eighties. In the evenings, he would relax with a glass of scotch. He loved singing music from the 40's and 50's and performed a rendition of “Blue Moon” at his grandson Michael's wedding.

Family members remaining to cherish Ed’s memory are his sister Diane, his 5 children, Mark, Steven and Gary Preisendorfer, Sherrill Adams, and Dan Kraft. Ed lived to see the births of 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. 

Preceding Ed in death were his wife Carol, his mother Natalia, father Casper, brother Rudy and grandson Griffin. 

Ed was is remembered as proud first generation American, a wonderful husband and father, a loving and generous grandfather, and a strong and brave man. He is missed every day.

 A Memorial Service will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Merlin, OR on October 1st, at 11:00 am. Friends of Ed and the family are invited to come celebrate Ed’s life and service to country and community.

For more information please contact Sherrill at 707-834-5710

Please share a memory of Edward in his Guestbook.