Ed Gudknecht

February 10, 1969PINNED — Edward R. Gudknecht (left), Doylestown sportsman and manager of Title Insurance Corporation of Pennsylvania in Doylestown, is presented a pin for perfect attendance for seven years by John B. Ernst, president of Central Bucks Jaycees, at a dinner-meeting Monday at Cross Keys Inn. Gudknecht is a past president of the Jaycees, now chairman of the board of directors, and one of the most dedicated workers in the interest of youth in the Central Bucks community. He has lived in Maplewood since 1962. (Staff Photo)(Click the image for a larger view.) 
I was just getting to know Ed Gudknecht. Recently I spent a couple weeks looking for some very old Intelligencer articles for him in my spare time, so that Ed could present them to a friend. When I didn't hear back from him, I felt a little disappointed, until I read yesterday's paper.

Ed passed away Tuesday, at his daughter's home.

I was really looking forward to getting to know him. The last time I saw Ed, in his office at the Bucks County Court House, he showed me some really cool old deeds and we bonded over our mutual love for research.

In retrospect, it must have looked pretty funny — a government official in his 70s, neatly dressed and a proud Republican, and a 30-year-old girl with funny socks, pigtails, and Liberal tendencies — talking excitedly and poring over 18th Century books, all beneath the stern gaze from Ed's collection of autographed Ronald Reagan photos.

Heartfelt condolences to Ed's family and friends. I wish I'd met him sooner.