Edwin “Ed” Henry Baier was born on September 13th, 1923 in Fleak, North Dakota to Samuel Baier and Charlotta Sartison, and was the eighth of nine children. He became a SeaBee in 1943 after being drafted into the Navy. Surviving tuberculosis contracted while serving his country, he moved to Seattle in 1949. After meeting on a blind date, Ed eventually married Jeanette Anona Smith on June 3rd, 1951. They were married for nearly 70 years until Jeanette’s passing in 2021. Ed passed away on Wednesday July 26th, 2023 at the age of 99.
In 1956, Ed founded Trailer Equipment Distributors Inc which became the first international trailer equipment distributor with ten locations in the United States and Canada. He was inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame in 2017. After retiring in 1980, Ed became a lifelong member of Safari Club International and began traveling and hunting in his free time. These new hobbies eventually took him and Jeanette all over the world. Some of their favorite locations were Thailand, Japan, and Argentina; but their absolute favorite was Hawaii, which they visited every year until they were no longer strong enough to make the trip.Throughout his life, Ed enjoyed spending quality time tending to his garden.
He and Jeanette were long time members of St Matthew Lutheran Church in Edmonds, WA and made many close friends there. In later years they joined Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, WA.
Ed leaves behind three children Jeff (Kathy), Cindy Eaton, Mark (Kim); eight grandchildren: Terra Yonker (Ryan), Eddie Baier (Jocelyn), Nick Baier (Tara), Michele Creed (Mark), Brett Eaton, Jordan Rogers (Will), Samuel Baier (Chelsea) and Alex Baier; and ten great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ed’s name to Evergreen Hospital Foundation or Seattle Children’s Hospital.
