Edwin J. Monsma

Edwin J. Monsma died peacefully at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, on July 15th, 2024, surrounded by his beloved family. Ed was a gentleman and loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He lived his life with integrity and graciousness and followed a path of self-sacrifice and service to his country.

Ed was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 16th, 1931, to Edwin and Freida (Van Wesep) Monsma. His father, a biology professor at Calvin College, and his mother, a suffragette, were instrumental in shaping a happy and loving foundation for Ed and his three siblings. 

Ed’s formative years were spent in Grand Rapids where he attended Grand Rapids Christian High School (class of 1949) and Calvin College (class of 1953). He excelled in academics and track and field, setting track times that stood for 20 plus years. He took great pride in running a 4:38 mile on a cinder track without track shoes. In 1953, Ed moved to Washington, D.C., to attend law school at George Washington University on an academic scholarship. He graduated from law school and passed the D.C. bar in 1956 on his first attempt. 

While in Washington, D.C., Ed met and later married (1957) his British wife, Barbara Harle. The couple moved to Spokane, Washington, where Ed served for two years in the Army. Following his honorable discharge, Ed and Barbara moved to Northern Virginia where Ed started his legal career with the General Accounting Office (GAO). He served with the highest distinction for the GAO and Office of Management and Budget, retiring as Assistant General Counsel at the GAO. Ed like to recount with humor that at the beginning of his legal career, he was encouraged to move back to Michigan and practice law “as a big fish in a small pond.” His preference was to remain in Washington, D.C. and be a “small fish in a big pond.”

Ed had several encounters with his Michigan congressman, Gerald Ford. As a boy, he delivered Mr. Ford’s daily paper. When he moved to Washington for law school, he contacted Representative Ford who was able to secure him a position as an elevator operator in a house office building where he earned his “pocket money.” Finally, In August 1974 with the unprecedented resignation of President Nixon, Ed now serving at OMB provided legal review of the policies and procedures for the transition of power from President Nixon to President Ford. He felt it was a high honor to be part of this historic event.

In 2017, Ed and Barbara moved from McLean, VA to be closer to family in Ponte Vedra Beach. It is here that they made new friends and entertained, albeit on a smaller scale and enjoyed time with their great-grandchildren.

Ed enjoyed swimming, running, adopting dogs and cats from the local shelter, watching Formula 1 racing with his son, classic cars, good food and wine, entertaining, exploring quantum physics, and traveling extensively worldwide. He often engaged in spirited debates over the interpretation of law, typically over a good glass of whiskey.

Ed is predeceased by his parents, wife, daughter Jessica Harle Monsma, and sister (Mary Monsma Bicknell). He is survived by his daughter Liz Monsma McCarthy (Jim), son Ian Monsma (Deirdre Groll), grandsons Trey (Aleena) and Christopher (Amanda), great-grandchildren Ainsley, Mikayla, Dean, and Camille, brothers Jim (Jan) and Chuck (Norma), and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Smithsonian’s National Zoo (https://nationalzoo.si.edu/support), the Jacksonville Zoo (https://www.jacksonvillezoo.org/donate) or the Members Association of Vicars Landing Scholarship Fund, 1000 Vicars Landing Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082.