Edward Kasey, 78, of Richland passed away at home on September 7, 2001.

Ed was born March 17, 1923 in Los Angeles, California. He was raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on September 11, 1942. While being trained as air crewman, Ed married Virginia Viel, his high school Sweetheart on August 28, 1943. Shortly, thereafter, he was stationed in England with the 8th Air Force. He began operational missions over occupied Europe on June 6, 1944. Flying as a turret gunner, he completed 35 missions in B17 and B24 bombers, while assigned to the 490th Bomb Group. He was transferred back to the States to Grand Island, Nebraska, training as an air crewman on the B29, when the war ended.

Ed came to Richland, Washington in September of 1945. He was the first WW II Veteran hired on the Hanford Reservation. He was trained as a glass blower working for Du Pont, General Electric, Battelle-Northwest and finally Westinghouse. He retired as a lead glass blower and head of the glass shop in November of 1987. Ed co-owned Northwest Labs, Inc from 1949 to 1985.

Ed is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia, his children, Bruce Kasey of Richland, WA, James Kasey of Spokane, WA, and Diane Howard of Renton, WA, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, September 12th at 3:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cook-Erickson Post 7952, 1369 George Washington Way, Richland, WA 99352