Dr. Edward Armbrust

Edward J. Armbrust, 79, of Seymour died on Tuesday (Jan. 15, 2019) at 6:40 p.m. at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Dr. Armbrust was born on Dec. 11, 1939, in Alhambra, Calif., a son of Earl and Bettie Armbrust.

He is survived by his brother, Earl Armbrust; his daughter, Gayle Williams; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Young, Russel Young, Kamille Williams and Kendall Williams; and two great-grandchildren, James Wright and Alyssa Fairbanks.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1962 from the University of California, Davis. He earned his Master of Science degree in 1964 and his PhD in 1966 from Cornell University.

Edward served as Professional Scientist and Entomologist at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Natural History Survey from 1966 to 2000. From 1990-1992, Dr. Armbrust served as Assistant Center Director and Head of Economic/Agricultural Entomology. From 1992-1994, he served as Center Director and Head of Economic/Agricultural Entomology. From 1994-1997, he served as Center Director for Center of Economic Entomology. From 1997-2000 he held the position of Acting Chief of the Illinois Natural History Survey.

Ed was a member of the United Methodist Church in Mahomet and a member of the Lions Club of Mahomet. For many years he restored and dealt in antiques. He and his partner of 20 years, Fred Maxheimer, had a shop, Ed and Fred’s Antiques, on Main Street in Mahomet. Edward loved to travel and entertain and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the funeral services following at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Mahomet. His final resting place will be at Riverside Cemetery in Mahomet.

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