Edwin "Ed" Kalish

Ed was born in Newark, New Jersey on October 2, 1931 to Betty and William Kalish. He joined his older sister, Ruth, and made their family complete. He graduated Dorsey High School in 1948. In 1951, he joined the United States Army serving in Germany during the Korean War.

In 1954, he married Lois Rathbun. He became a father to three children, Rick, Kym, and Wendi. He moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1961, and later to Palm Desert in 1998. Last January, they moved to Simi Valley to be near their family.

In the early years, Ed worked as a TV Repairman but changed careers in 1962 to learn the Excavating and Grading Business. He later formed K-West Engineering & Grading with his son, Rick.

Ed was one of the founders of Southern California Contractors Association, serving as its first President. He continued to serve as a consultant to SCCA traveling to many conferences and lobbying government until 2010.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lois, his daughters, Kym Burns (Craig) of Simi Valley, CA and Wendi Deterville (Mike) of Woodland Hills, CA, and daughter in law, Ronda Kalish. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Chad (Sarah) and Cory Burns, Angie, Tyler, and Micah Deterville, Bree Kalish Lopez (Ruben), Brett Kalish and two Great-Grandchildren, Ricky and Ella Lopez. He was predeceased by his son, Rick Kalish in 2007.

Ed loved life, his wife, children, and grandchildren, extended family, and longtime friends.

A Memorial and Celebration of his life will be held at 12 noon on Friday, September 11, 2015 at The Rose Family Funeral Home, 4444 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, CA .

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Best Friends Pet Adoption Center, Attn: Donations in Memory of Ed Kalish, 15321 Brand Boulevard, Mission Hills, CA 91345 or LA.Bestfriends.org/get involved/donate.