Obituary of Edward A. Hunt

Born in Sacramento in 1941, Edward Hunt lived his entire productive life in the Sacramento Valley Region. He graduated from Sacramento High School in 1959 and after a 4-year stint as a Navy Corpsman, returned to Sacramento City College and CSUS to complete his education in Clinical Laboratory Science, 1971. Ed’s 40-year career as a Laboratory Scientist included positions at Dignity Health (Mercy), UC Davis, Folsom State Prison Laboratory, and Sierra Nevada Hospital. While working at Sutter Memorial Hospital during his schooling, a friend introduced Ed to a young RN and recent graduate of CSU Chico, Diane Burge. Their relationship quickly grew and flourished. Ed and Diane were married in 1967. In the years that followed, their sons Charles and Steven were born - both at Sutter Memorial Hospital where Ed and Diane first met. Ed and Diane shared a lifelong commitment to healthcare and medicine which enhanced their 54 years of marriage. Ed was a quiet, soft-spoken man who lived out his passion for community service in a variety of organizations, While his sons played soccer for Carmichael Soccer Club, Ed served as coach for Steven’s teams for about 10 years. Under Ed’s leadership, the Carmichael Ram’s became District 6 Cup Champions, in 1983 and 1985. Ed’s commitment to his players and the sport they loved often found him mowing uncut fields, lining endless blank fields of grass, and rounding up ride-less players so they could participate in practices. Ed tirelessly created opportunities for young minds and bodies to enjoy the sport they loved, helping them grow as people through both the joy and adversity of competition. Ed’s kindness and commitment to his players will be one of his greatest legacies. As a lab scientist, Ed was keenly aware of the value of blood to patients’ lives and acted on it. He was a 25-gallon blood doner and a volunteer at the community Blood Source Donation Centers and mobile blood drives. He also recruited volunteers for “Be the Match” bone marrow donation/registration for treating patients with leukemias and immune deficiency disorders. To honor his many hours of service, Ed was selected for the Blood Source Donation Hall of Fame in 2017. During Ed and Diane’s retirement years in Meadow Vista, CA, Ed’s passion for helping others was channeled through many volunteer efforts and service projects. As a volunteer for the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Auburn, Ed fed the homeless while working with ‘God’s Kitchen Crew” and assisted in building the Auburn Renewal Center - a free medical clinic on the Seventh Day Adventist grounds. With Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and the American Red Cross, Ed helped victims of major disasters, including Hurricanes Sandy and Isaac. Serving with Living Water International, Ed traveled nine times to Central American communities to dig wells and bring the gift of clean water. Many friendships were forged through these volunteer ventures. His work ethic, reliability and quiet thoughtful demeanor made him a valuable team member and friend. Despite his busy volunteer schedule, Ed always made time for golf at Black Oak Golf Course in Auburn with his three long-time friends, Joe, Stan, and Jack. They were regulars on Thursdays for about 15 years. Ed and Diane shared a love for hummingbirds, nature, and lovely yards. Their 4 homes always included spaces for blooming roses, hummingbird feeders, and pleasing flora which attracted a host of feathered friends. One house even featured a koi pond which Ed constructed. During their later years, Ed and Diane enjoyed their time-shares in Mexico and often exchanged them for spots in the Southwest, Colorado, and Canada. They treasured the time shared on their road trips finding winding country lanes, nature hikes, and birds in varied ecosystems. Ed is survived by his wife and Diane, his sons Charles and Steven, as well as his uncle and aunt Thomas and Isabel Hunt. Preceding him in death were his parents Edward and Barbara Hunt, and his brother Dennis (Buzz) Hunt. Arrangements for a service are pending due to the COVID-19 surge. To be notified about a future service please contact by email: eddiane337@hotmail.com. Donations of blood at a local Vitalant site are encouraged. A memorial donation can be made to the Auburn Renewal Center (ARC), 12225 Rock Creek Dr., Auburn, CA 95602.