Edward D. Pope died peacefully on June 24, 2024 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's. Ed was a devoted father, beloved Papa to his grandchildren, proud uncle to his nieces and nephews, and a generous, fun-loving friend and neighbor whose infectious laugh will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his son, Mike (Barbara), his daughter Jessica Pope Horak (Steve), and his grandchildren, Freddie and Nina Horak and Serena Pope. He is preceded in death by his two siblings, Al Pope and Lori Theisen, and his son, Ed.

Ed was born in 1939 to Julia (nee Pacewic) Pope and Edward Pope in Chicago, IL. He attended Kelly High School in Chicago and graduated from Roosevelt University in 1962 with a B.S. in Accounting. He spent summers as a Lifeguard Captain at Rainbow Beach on Chicago's South Side. After scoring in the top 10 nationwide for his score on the CPA exam, Ed went on to a successful business career before retiring to care for his daughter, whom he loved endlessly.

An avid endurance athlete, Ed twice completed the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and ran multiple Chicago Marathons. He would bike hundreds of miles along the Lakefront Trail every week. He loved vacationing in the Grand Tetons and Rocky Mountains with his family, where together they enjoyed rock climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, and especially skiing and snowboarding – during which Ed felt he was "on cloud nine."  His scuba-diving certification made family trips to places like Belize and Cancun very special.

Ed prided himself on being a lifelong learner. Late in life, he immersed himself in Italian and Spanish language and culture, studying at the American School in Rome. He learned to surf, enjoyed yoga and judo, and always fostered his competitive spirit playing pinochle and blackjack with family and friends. Throughout his life he made friends everywhere he went.

A private funeral service will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Old Town.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ed's memory to the Alzheimer's Association ( www.alz.org ), an organization dedicated to ending Alzheimer's and all dementia.

For further information please call 312-421-0936.