Edwin "Ted" Chipman Kidd

Edwin “Ted” Chipman Kidd, 88, of Traverse City, passed away on November 23, 2013. He leaves behind his beloved wife and best friend, Phyllis (Monroe); his loving daughter, Carol Low (Peter) of Traverse City and his devoted son, Gary Kidd of Flint. He is also survived by his brother Alan V. Kidd (Bonnie); his grandson, Jamie W. Hawkins (Kortney); and step grandsons Andy Low (Jill), and Eric Low. He also leaves seven beautiful Great grandchildren, Avery and Allie Hawkins, Emma, Alex, Ryan and Katy Low, and Elizabeth Low. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Vera (Monet) Kidd, and his sister Martha Gaston. Ted was born in Evanston, Illinois and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. An industrious teenager, he delivered mail, toiled in outdoor construction, and was a deck hand on a Great Lakes freighter. Upon high school graduation, he joined the Navy and served as a radio operator on an amphibious vessel. In September 1945, Ted participated in the occupation of Japan. He excelled at the University of Michigan, earning his room and board by scrubbing pots and pans at the Phi Delta Phi fraternity house. He married Phyllis in 1950 and settled in New York where he was employed by Time Inc. He managed marketing and sales operations for LIFE magazine and later for Fortune magazine, for 35 years. He received his Masters in Business Management from Central Michigan University in 1984. Upon retirement from Time Inc., Ted and Phyllis moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where Ted taught marketing and advertising at Western Kentucky University. Their last move was to Traverse City. Here Ted sat on the TADL board and then joined an executive committee which brought about the new library in 1998. Ted was instrumental in choosing the Woodmere site for the new library building. He then joined the volunteer staff of the Dennos Museum as a docent and enjoyed leading school children through the Museums art galleries, and visiting elementary classrooms to share his love of Inuit art. In September 2009, the President of Northwestern Michigan College, Tim Nelson, authorized by the Board of Trustees, appointed Ted and Phyllis Fellows of NMC, for their steadfast support of the Dennos Museum since its opening in 1991. Ted had many passions, among them the arts, reading, and travel. He had an insatiable appetite for learning. He and Phyllis were always planning their next trip, whether it was across the country, or across the pond. Ted’s family would like to thank the staff of Grand Traverse Pavilions and Hospice of Michigan for their dedication to his care and well-being. The love and kindness extended to him and his family is deeply appreciated. Should his friends wish to make a charitable contribution, his favorite charity is for children with cancer: St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 (www.stjude.org) or because of his love and support of the Dennos Museum, (1701 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686) a contribution there would also be fitting. Ted also would have been equally thrilled to know that donations were made to other worthwhile causes in his memory. Ted’s family invites his friends and associates to a memorial gathering at the Dennos Museum on December 7 at 6 pm. Please share your memories, thoughts and condolences with Ted's family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Edwin "Ted" Chipman Kidd

September 20, 2013 - November 23, 2013