Edward Charles Wortz was born on 28 October 1930 in Schenectady, Schenectady, New York.
1 He and
Lana Suzanne Nelson were married on 22 March 1958 in Dallas County, Texas. He and
Lana Suzanne Nelson were divorced in June 1972 in Los Angeles City, Los Angeles, California. He and
Melinda Jane Farris were married on 22 November 1973 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California. He died on 7 November 2004, at age 74, in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California.
Edward Charles Wortz was a Doctor.
2 He was educated University of Texas.
2 He was awarded a BA/PhD- Psychology.
2 Edward Charles Wortz, PhD., died November 7, 2004 after a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 74. Born October 28, 1930 in Schenecrady, NY., he was raised in San Antonio, TX. He received his PhD. from the Universty of Texas in 1957 in the field of physiological psychology. His first career was as a research scientist working on NASA contracts in the air research industry in Colorado and California, He studied weightlessness, habitability and temperature control for the early astronauts and the first moon landing.
He changed careers in mid-ilfe and studied with the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles to become a psychotherapist. He was a charter member of the Biofeedback Society of America. He founded the Neuro-Development Center specializing in treatment of learning disabilities for adults and children. As a psychologist and Buddist, he was one of the first to integrate the two in his practice.
With the Ven. Dr. Thich Thien-An, he co-founded the International Buddist Meditation Center in Los Angeles. He was one of the first Americans to be ordained as a Dharma teacher in the Vietnamese Buddist tradition. He took his Bodhisattva vows. Throughout his career, he led several meditation groups and seminars. He initiated a web site dedicated to Buddhism, his thought and writings.
He was involved in the arts and participated in collaborations with artists, among them, Robert Irwin. Coy Howard, and James Turrell. He apprciated the artistic mind, and many of his closest friends were artists in varous fields.
Loving husband, father, and granndfather. Scientist, Buddist, philosopher, therapist, friend. A sweet, wonderful man, we were sure of his love. He was a great story-teller, and his love of life, curiosity and intellect made his life full and exciting. He was a joy to be with, and touched the hearts of everyone he met. He was a gentle and respectful of every individual. He balanced and enhanced our lives. He was deeply loved, and will be dearly missed. It was a privilege to have known him and loved him. He was a real jewel to humanity.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Comegys-Wortz, his daughters, Margaret Wortz and Kathryn Wortz, his grandchildren, Marissa and Matthew Marchioni, and Richard Graham; Melinda Wortz's daughters; Lisa LaHorgue, Alison Niktopolous, and Jennifer Wisdom, and grandchildren, Eloise, Joseph and Thomas LaHorgue, Vaki and Anthony Nikitopolous, Melinda and Abigail Wisdom; his aunt Anna Muncy, his cousin, nieces, nephew, and other family members and friends.
A memorial service will be scheduled in December. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, 577 W. Century Blvd., Suite 800, L.A., CA 90045, or to Cedars-Sinai Hospice Program, 200 N. Robertson Blvd., Suite 102, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
To share a memory of Ed please visit www.dharmafamily.org. We love you Eddie. Be free.