John Arnold Edelman Known to family as “Arnold”, passed away on August 25, 2021, aged 97. Survivors include his wife of over 75 years, Margaret Monteith Edelman; daughter Nancy Edelman; his three sons, John Duncan Edelman, Richard Edelman (Jennifer Edelman), and Peter Edelman, and five grandchildren, Emily Edelman, Ariel Neal, Krista Edelman, MD, Anna Edelman, and John Scot Edelman. Arnold is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Luke Cowardin, Brendan Bulea, Darwin Bulea, and Addie Cowardin. Arnold was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on August 16, 1924, the second of three children born to John Edelman and Kate Van Eaton. After his first year of college at Harvard University, Arnold enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a B-17 bomber pilot and crew commander at the age of 19. He flew 35 missions in the Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe achieving the rank of First Lieutenant in the Air Corps. At the conclusion of his military service he returned to Harvard, graduating in 1948 with a degree in Economics. His career entailed dynamic and vital work with the Marshall Plan in rebuilding the economies of post-war Europe as well as decades of service at the World Bank. His area of economic expertise during his tenure at the World Bank began with the Philippines and grew to include the Far East Division. Arnold was a track star in high school and all his life maintained a devotion to a healthy and athletic lifestyle. Together he and Margaret enjoyed skiing and tennis and yoga into their eighties and Arnold began each day with light exercise throughout his nineties. He was a lifelong progressive and devoted years of volunteer work with the Democratic Party, culminating in being awarded the Mt. Vernon District Democratic Committee Member Award for 2010. Arnold was also a founding member of an aging-in-place community cooperative, Mt. Vernon At Home. The family wishes to express profound gratitude to caregivers, Kate, Christina, and Joyce for their loving care of Arnold during his last years.The memory of John Arnold Edelman’s life of service, generosity, and love will be a continuing blessing to family, friends and community.The memory of John Arnold Edelman’s life of service, generosity, and love will be a continuing blessing to family, friends and community.
811 CAMERON STREET ALEXANDRIA VIRGINIA 22313
10/02/2021
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Very sorry for your lost. I have a couple of old photos of your father’s bomber crew. My dad was the bombardier. 2nd Lt. Daniel F. McBride Jr. Not able to attach below.
Very sorry for your lost. I have a couple of old photos of your Dad and his crew members from WW2. My Dad was the crews bombardier. 2nd Lt. Daniel F. McBride. The files are too big to attached below.
I often think of listening to Jazz and playing Chess together at your home in Mt. Vernon, one of my favorite memories.
Neal Spangler
Dear Edelmans, I am so sorry to read of Arnold’s death. I have so many wonderful memories of all of you .
Wishing you love snd peace in this time of grieving,
Margery
Dear Margaret and family,
We have been great admirers of Arnold since the early days of Mt. Vernon at Home, when he was such a vital part of the founding of the organization.
Please know that our thoughts are with you and we send our sincere sympathy.
Al and Jean Glazier
He was a great man and has a beautiful family. We will miss him dearly. He had an extraordinary life with many accomplishments. He will always live in our hearts.
Love and prayers to his family.
We would like to extend our condolences to the family. In times of distress we need comfort that soothes our hearts. May the peace of God guard your hearts. Truly sorry for your loss.