Obituaries

Ralph Scotty EdwardsEconomist, Trade Specialist

Ralph Scotty Edwards, 61, a federal economist and international trade specialist, died of pancreatic cancer Sept. 3 at his home in Montclair.

Mr. Edwards worked for the federal government for 33 years, as an economist in the Commerce Department and as an international trade specialist for the Maritime Administration in the Department of Transportation. He retired in 2003.

He was born in Manhattan, Kan., and grew up in various places as the son of an Air Force officer. He graduated from George Washington University and received a master's degree in international affairs from the University of Paris in 1970.

After his government retirement, Mr. Edwards turned his longtime hobby of nature photography into a business, displaying and selling his work at arts and crafts shows. "Canyon Light," one of his best works, is in a juried exhibit at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria. Mr. Edwards was past president of the Northern Virginia Photographic Society, from which he won numerous awards.

He also enjoyed tennis, skiing, traveling, hiking, biking, water sports and theater. He was well-read and loved discussing politics.

His marriage to Nancy Balles ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Mary Jo Edwards of Montclair; a son from that marriage, Ryan Edwards of Montclair; his father, retired Air Force Col. Walter Scott Crum of Mesa, Ariz.; and two brothers.

-- Patricia Sullivan

Arthur W. HesseAir Force Colonel, Inspector

Arthur W. Hesse, 84, a retired Air Force colonel who became an electrical inspector for Prince George's County and Laurel, died Aug. 10 of leukemia at his home in Temple Hills.

Col. Hesse, who was born in Belle Plaine, Wis., joined the Army Air Forces in 1941 after briefly attending the University of Wisconsin. During World War II, the military sent him to study meteorology at Reed College in Portland, Ore., and communications at Yale University.