Edwin Joseph passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Thursday July 26, 2018. He was born on February 12, 1958 in San Fernando, Trinidad to Gipson George and Millicent Joseph. He was preceded in death by his parents.
. Surviving are his wife of 36+ years, Jann; children, Kwasi, Kendell, and Kheran; grandchildren, Sierra, Korbin, Kamri and Julian; sisters, Iona George, Eulin Joseph and Merlyn Joseph; brothers, Weighley Joseph, Glen Joseph, Roy Joseph and Ken Joseph; sister-in-law, Ann Pantor, brothers-in-law Eden Pantor, Winston Pantor (deceased) and Robert Pantor. Edwin grew up in Trinidad but moved to the United States in 1992.
He completed his Bachelor of Science in Rural Sociology, Master of Science in Continuing and Adult Education, and his PhD in Development Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Edwin was a Professor of Sustainability Studies at IUSB. He had a passion for helping struggling farmers gain access to and use technology to improve productivity.
Edwin believed in “teaching to fish” and focused his service on training the trainer. Beginning in the early 1980’s he practiced and taught Urban Agriculture in impoverished inner city communities in Trinidad using now common urban sustainable planting techniques. His passion for supporting rural development included numerous projects funded by major international Non-Governmental Agencies in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St Lucia, Jamaica and recently Haiti.
Edwin was a primary author of the GIS minor during his time as a professor at Grand Valley State University. He taught cultural geography, engaging his students by cooking food native to the cultures under discussion. Edwin was an ardent self-taught musician who was able to hold his own with the best of the best.
He always had a keen interest in music but his passion for music began when he had his first taste of the steel-drums at age 10 whilst standing atop a box to gain access to the instrument. As a native of Trinidad, his love and passion for pan exploded and he sought to play the steel-drums at any given opportunity. A man and his music lives forever.
Edwin was an engaging storyteller. He was able to relay humorous observations of the most mundane encounters on his travels from as far away as India to his most recent trip to Haiti. Edwin loved traveling and made many trips across the world with his wife, Jann.
His favorite place to travel was to the Caribbean. Nothing gave him more pleasure than being outdoors with his plants on his cocoa estate in Trinidad. He was a devoted and kind husband, engaged and loving father, good and loyal friend to many, and a generous and supportive brother to his four brothers and three sisters.
He will be deeply missed A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 3 at 3 p.m. at Joshi’s Performance Hall at IUSB. Hahn Funeral Home, Mishawaka has been entrusted with handling the final arrangements. Memorial contributions can be made to Edwin Joseph Sustainability Studies Scholarship, PO Box 7111 South Bend, IN 46634.
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