Edward M. Yastrow

June 12th, 2013

I got to know Ed while fishing over the years with mutual friends on Lake Michigan. Ed was always great company out on the water, and never had a negative thing to say about anyone. He also never complained about his physical condition, which often caused him considerable discomfort. His only comment about it was how lucky he was to be able to be out on the water. In fact, we who were in his company were the lucky ones. He’ll be missed.
While we will be unable to attend the memorial service, our thoughts will be with Ed’s family at this difficult time.

~Keith McClintock
~Friend, Lake Forest, IL

June 11th, 2013

Ed and I became fast friends in Kenya in 1997. We were on safari together and my excitement at being in the midst of such big game was such that I simply couldn’t sleep. Each morning, I would join the camp askaris (guards) by the fire at 0300 or 0330, waiting for the sun to rise and the morning game drive to start. Ed was always at the fire already, making friends with the Samburu warriors, telling stories, and laughing his infectious laugh.

His curiosity and wit made him a cherished member of the “Breakfast Club” at the Field Museum, a daily forum for science, philosophy, humor, and and a bit of gossip. Ed regularly held court over an Egg McMuffin. He invariably brought a perfect mix of curiosity, scholarship, and joie de vivre to the table.

I will always be indebted to Ed and his friends for taking my son out onto Lake Michigan for his first bit of salmon fishing. A lifelong angler, Ed took delight in instilling the thrill of hooking a lunker in a newbie. His warmth and generosity remained unabated on that trip, even as he consoled a seasick kid in rough water. One of my favorite quotes of Ed’s was “There are two great moments in the life of a fisherman: the day he gets his first boat, and the day he finally gets rid of it.”

Our thoughts are with Didi and her loving family.

~Bruce Patterson
~Field Museum colleague, La Grange IL

June 11th, 2013

Ed Yastrow was one of the most special men I have ever had the privilege to know. The world was a better place because he lived on it. To my family he was and will always be known as “Captain Ed”.

When my sons were young we always went to Islamorada for part of winter break where Ed and Didi spent their winters. Even though they had their entire family down there with them they always included us in all of the activities whether it was fishing on the “Patch Happy”, going out to dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, or whatever else was going on.

When we were down in Islamorada my sons, Brandon and Phillip, would jump out of bed at the first hint of daylight to run over to “Captain Eds” fishing room where Ed would already be tinkering with rods, reels, and rigs for the fishing day ahead. My sons worshiped him and viewed him as a grandfather and me as a father figure even though I was not one of the Yastrow clan. We felt like adopted Yastrows.

The last time we were in Islamorada for a week and the weather was awful, too windy and cold to get out out on the boat until the last day. We were heading back to Miami to my Mom’s place but Ed said we could get out for a few hours in the morning since the weather had finally settled down. In 3 hours that day we caught more fish than ever before. Grouper, snapper, and yellow tail on every cast. When we got back to dock Ed cleaned the fish for us and we went to Miami with a cooler full of fresh caught fish which we cooked at my Mom’s that night along with one of my Mom’s famous key lime pies and it was one of the most memorable meals that I have ever tasted.

I am very saddened by the passing of “Captain Ed” but the memories of what he was to us and how he lived life will live on in each of us forever!!!

~David Elsasser
~Long time friend, Wilmette Il

June 11th, 2013

Ed Yastrow was one of the most special men I have ever had the privilege to know. The world was a better place because he lived on it. To my family he was and will always be known as “Captain Ed”.

When my sons were young we always went to Islamorada for part of winter break where Ed and Didi spent their winters. Even though they had their entire family down there with them they always included us in all of the activities whether it was fishing on the “Patch Happy”, going out to dinner at one of their favorite restaurants, or whatever else was going on.

When we were down in Islamorada my sons, Brandon and Phillip, would jump out of bed at the first hint of daylight to run over to “Captain Eds” fishing room where Ed would already be tinkering with rods, reels, and rigs for the fishing day ahead. My sons worshiped him and viewed him as a grandfather and me as a father figure even though I was not one of the Yastrow clan. We felt like adopted Yastrows.

The last time we were in Islamorada for a week and the weather was awful, too windy and cold to get out out on the boat until the last day. We were heading back to Miami to my Mom’s place but Ed said we could get out for a few hours in the morning since the weather had finally settled down. In 3 hours that day we caught more fish than ever before. Grouper, snapper, and yellowtail on every cast. When we got back to dock Ed cleqaned the fish for us and we went to Miami with acooler full of fresh caught fish which we cooked at My Mom’s that night along with one of my mom’s famous key lime pies and it was one of the most memorable meals tha tI have ever tasted.

I am very saddened by the passing of “Captain Ed” but the memories of what he was to us and how he lived life will live on in each of us forever!!!

~David Elsasser
~Long time friend, Wilmette Il

June 11th, 2013

We are so sad for your loss. There are so many memories to share growing up on Ridge & Partridge and the many vacations with your family in Islamorada Florida. Ed was the man. He was bigger than life down there with his boat, fishing tales & dinners on the water.
Our kids were treated as his own taking turns going on the boat fishing with Ed was the ultimate gift and we were blessed to have him share his time with us all. We loved those lazy sun soaked days chilling at the Cheeka, the Sea Isle gang, sunsets at the Lorelei, family dinners with Ed leading the stories of days fishing or past excursions. The many
New Years eve we spent were nights to remember. He was smart, interesting, funny,kind, warm, a sportsman, …..we are lucky to have shared such wonderful times
with Ed, he will be missed. Our memories of Ed will always be special. Our deepest sympathy to you all.

~Pamela & Garry Weiner
~family friend, Deerfield,IL