Frank Talmage "Tal" Edman's Obituary
Son of George William and Alice Gould Edman, Talmage (aka “Tal”) was born and raised with his two younger brothers in Pittsfield, MA. After graduating from Phillips Andover Academy in Andover, MA in 1945, Tal enlisted in the U.S. Navy, attaining the rank of Fire Controlman First Class. With World War II ending just after his training in 1945, the post-war year in the Navy offered Tal the opportunity to develop a long-time love of the sea, to see the Far East, and drive a jeep in China, as well as subsequently to benefit from the GI bill in achieving his Yale University B.A. degree in 1950.
Tal began his professional career in the forest products industry, beginning with marketing and selling fine papers and ending with log chips. From International Paper Company’s mill in Corinth, NY, Tal moved to IP’s Chicago sales office, eventually becoming manager of the New England Fine Papers Sales Division in Clinton, MA, when he traveled widely on business through the region and helped lead the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry. In 1954, during this period in his career, Tal married his Pittsfield home town honey, Mary Rockwell Reynolds (Molly). They began their marriage in Corinth, NY and proceeded to have four children as Tal followed his travel and promotions from place to place.
From IP, Weyerhaeuser Company recruited Tal to its Pulp Sales Division in New York City before promoting him to Manager of the Pulp Division at the corporate headquarters in Tacoma, WA. In 1968, Tal moved his family from Wilton, CT to Lakewood, WA, where he and Molly happily resided for the rest of their lives. Satisfaction with life in the northwest was deepened during the 25-year timeframe when Tal and Molly spent weekends at a home they designed and built on Case Inlet, where they could sail and enjoy the water and distant Olympic Mountains.
After 15 years with Weyerhaeuser, Tal branched out to pioneer chipping trees in the woods (“whole tree chipping”) with colleague Dave Fisher, and ultimately on his own, forming Edman Company. Tal pivoted with the lumber products industry cycles, became elected to the Washington Hardwood Commission, and eventually felt pleased to turn his company over to the succession of his son George and grandson Tal II.
Tal’s lifetime enjoyment of the environment and the woods began with his adventures in the Massachusetts Berkshires with two local YMCA camps and a Boy Scout Eagle award. His “green thumb” led him to create a vegetable garden wherever the Edman family lived, from a scratched-out field in Corinth to raised beds in Lakewood. He made certain that no backyard bird ever went hungry. Tal’s participation in sports continued throughout his life, from a passion for skiing to tennis, and finally, golf. He was a former President of the Lakewood Racquet Club, founding Board member of Crystal Mountain ski resort, and member for over 50 years of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Memberships in the Phelps Association, GYRO, and SOYP also gave Tal great pleasure.
Exposure to classical music in his youth through his parents’ founding involvement with the Boston Symphony’s Tanglewood concerts led Tal to support the Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra as former President of that Board. His many volunteer commitments also included service to The Little Church on the Prairie in various capacities and Board membership of the Foss Waterway Seaport. With this last effort of countless hours and heart, Tal combined his love of sailing with a professional understanding of the Port of Tacoma’s value to area industries, in particular to the forest products industry.
Tal loved peach ice cream, mince pie, peanuts, and a good martini. But most of all, he loved his wife Molly of over 63 years, his children and grandchildren, his extended family, and his dear, loyal friends far and near. He will be deeply missed by his loving children: George (Laura), Sherry (John), Hilles (Bill), Thomas (Ainin), and his nine grandchildren - Tal II, Whiley, Andrea, Reynolds, Chase, Parker, Mary, Will, and Mac. He was predeceased by his wonderful brothers, Silas (Jettabee) and Ross (John). In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider donating to your favorite chairty, Foss Waterway Seaport, or the Little Church on the Prairie. A family memorial gathering will take place in Pittsfield, MA, where he and Molly will rest in peace together.
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