On September 3, 2013, Dick Edsall, a man of bright intellect and strong opinions, passed away in the arms of his loving wife Arlene. The doors of heaven opened and welcomed a seasoned debater.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa on December 6,1926, Dick was the adored only child of Irving Kenneth and Irene Wupper Edsall. He spent most of his childhood in Kansas City, Missouri and Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Wichita East High School in 1944. Following graduation Dick entered into the Army OCS program during World War II and served our country from 1944-46. After the war, he returned to his hometown where he attended Wichita University, graduating in 1949.
Dick loved traveling with his parents to California each summer. After graduation, he pursued his California dream, moving to Los Angeles where he worked as a soap salesman for Proctor and Gamble. Having bigger dreams for his life, he was admitted to USC Law School , where he attended classes at night while continuing to hold a fulltime job during the day, and where he found his passion for the law. He was soon awarded a full scholarship so he could be a full time day student. During his schooling, he was a member of the USC Law Review. Dick graduated in 1956 Order of the Coif, passed the California State Bar exam the same year, and was admitted 1957.
Dick's legal career focused on Utility Law, where he was referred to as "The Master" in rate cases both in California and US Federal Agencies. During his distinguished career at Pacific Lighting Corporation, he split his time in the company offices of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC. He was admitted to try cases before the US Supreme Court in 1969. At the time of his retirement from Pacific Lighting Corporation, Dick was Vice President and General Counsel, managing a staff of over 40 lawyers.
Through hard work and smart investments, Dick and Arlene owned vacation homes in Indian Wells, California; Utah; and Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, where they were able to be with family and friends. They also traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad.
Dick and Arlene later moved permanently to Utah. Because he was bored and wanted to prove to himself that he still had it, Dick studied for and passed the Utah State Bar in 1988, never intending to practice. He was a distinguished member of the Los Angeles Jonathan Club, The Petroleum Club, The International Club of Washington DC, Indian Wells Country Club, and the Newcomers of Salt Lake City.
Dick loved music, books, good food, pretty women, a lively debate, and a good glass of Jack. His humor, wisdom, love and devotion will be missed.
Dick is survived by his wife, Arlene Wilson Edsall, his children, Diane Edsall Lapostol (La Crescenta, CA) and Claudia Edsall Sanders (Montrose, CA), his step-children Eric Alfred Lyman (Terry) (Sandy, UT) and Cydnie Lyman Horwat (Shawn) (Bellevue, WA) and his 9 grandchildren, Megan Lyman, Michael Sanders, Jacob Lyman, Caitlin Sanders, Luis Lapostol, Taylor Lyman, Andres Lapostol, Evan Horwat and Ava Horwat.
A celebration of Dick's life will be held at Willow Creek Country Club: 8505 Willow Creek Drive, Sandy, Utah, on Sunday, September 15th at 11 am. Services will include a tribute followed by a luncheon for family and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Dick's name to the USC Gould Scholarship Fund, USC Gould School of Law, (213) 743-1710 or https://giveto.usc.edu/
Online condolences: www.larkinmortuary.com
