Eidard 'Ted' Cross
Ted passed away April 16 at the age of 46 years. In his early childhood Ted was known by his family as Edward. He loved the great outdoors and liked nothing better than messing about with boats and fishing with his father, Eddie. He learned camping and many outdoor skills as a member of the British Scout Association.
His father encouraged him in all practical matters and taught him how to strip down a car engine and showed him how to carry out all forms of electrical work. At 13, he built his first basic computer.
From his mother, Eirene, who was a trained nurse, Ted learned about cooking, music, faith in God and caring for other people. As Ted grew up, the Church of England became more important in his life and he seriously considered becoming an Anglican priest.
He chose instead to study in electronics and computing at Loughborough University, successfully completing a degree program. After university he returned to his hometown of Barrow-in-Furness where he worked for VSEL, a shipbuilding and engineering company.
In the late 1980's, while working on a joint US/UK project, Ted met a girl named Bonnie. He decided to move to the United States where he and Bonnie were married. After moving to the US, Ted took a position with a Coors subsidiary that eventually became Coors Microlithics, where he worked through the 1990's. In 2000, Ted found his way to his final employer, Hewlett-Packard.
During his time in the States, Ted became a first responder and a member of Douglas County Search and Rescue. He was a ham radio operator, an audiophile, a duffer and an avid fisherman. He rode motorcycles, was building an airplane and had just purchased a sports car. Ted was, and is, multidimensional...as comfortable talking about spirituality as about physics or motorcycles...never hesitant to let out a belly laugh at the silliest comedy sketch, yet so brilliant as to gain the admiration and respect of eminent scholars and professionals.
Ted was a scholar, a teacher, a mentor. Ted contributed a high level of energy to any endeavour be it work or play and expected no less of others.
Forever endeared to old friends, and quick to make new ones. Musician, scientist, engineer, adventurer, historian, warrior and most of all - friend....sorely missed by the spectrum of those whose lives he touched over the years.
Ted is survived by his father Eddie, sisters June and Susan. He is preceeded in death by his mother Eirene
