Well said Book Chick, some people must have been raised with wolves to have such complete lack of manners &knowledge of appropriate behavior.Ed's widow might read these nice thoughts about her husband and would not need the additional hurt of this persons ugliness... <BR>Julie, there are more nice people in the world like your husband was, than the not so nice-our thoughts are with you~

My condolonce to the widow. I used to have some "Travel related" disputs with Ed. But I know it wasn't personal. <BR> <BR>Rest in Peace Ed <BR> <BR>Loves , <BR> <BR>Jaime

I first remember seeing Ed's name on a thread about getting from Rome's airport into the city. Then I saw the website that he and Julie had and was very impressed with the wealth of information they had about Rome (some of which we used), as well as the other destinations that were their favorites. <BR> <BR>After traveling to Rome for the first time this past March, I could understand why Ed & Julie had a love affair with the Eternal City. I always enjoyed reading his comments about Rome here on Fodors and will miss them. <BR> <BR>I didn't realize he was battling cancer, hope his suffering was short-lived, and wish the best for his wife and other survivors. <BR>

Ugh. I feel like I just got hit in the stomach. I never even knew him, but used his site a lot in planning the trip I took to Italy in August, and appreciated his advice so much. I remember so many of his posts here and had no idea he was even ill. This makes me sad.

BOOK CHIC - YOU SAID IT THE BEST. YOU COVERED IT ALL - THANKS - May Ed rest in peace.

Aw, man...no. I had no idea. Ed was such a wonderful help in planning my trip to Rome this past January, and we'd traded e-mails after I came back about my reactions. I couldn't possibly have planned such a wonderful first visit to the Eternal City without the insights of this consummate traveler. Julie, I hope you know how many lives Ed touched and how much joy he helped to bring to our explorations of the world. I know that the next time I visit Rome (and it will be soon!) I'll feel that Ed is somewhere nearby pointing out his favorite places. Thanks, Ed, and bright blessings. <BR> <BR>

My condolences to Ed's family. I was very sorry to read about this sad news. I enjoyed their web site and found lots of interesting information. He'll be missed!

I am very sorry to hear the news. I don't believe I ever corresponded with him or Julie directly but always very much enjoyed his posts. I had no idea he was fighting cancer. Julie, my condolences to you and your family. <BR> <BR>Beth

I also am so sorry to hear this. He responded with some very usefull advise to my posts. I also used his website and emailed him on occasion. My thoughts and wishes are with Julie. <BR>

Just add my name to the list above. Just came across this posting and I feel the same feelings as everyone above. <BR> <BR>He was so helpful to so many. He made all of our travels much more interesting and rewarding. <BR> <BR>Thank you, Ed. <BR> <BR>Bob

unfortunately , <BR>it takes sad news like this <BR>to bring me back to this site. <BR> <BR>I loved Ed and julie's site. <BR>Please accept my condolences :-( <BR>

Perhaps Ed's version of "Resting in peace" will mean that he will really be "traveling in peace." I can imagine his spirit now, hovering somewhere over or perhaps back and forth between Kansas City and his family and his beloved Swiss mountains. I feel sure he knows he was appreciated, loved and is now missed. My condolences to Julie. <BR>kk

I propose that each of us that have been touched my Ed's helpful advice-raise a glass in his honor on our next trip to Europe or throw a coin in Trevi fountain with a prayer for him when we go to Rome? He will be greatly missed by his Fodor regulars!

In scanning the other messages in Ed and Julie's Guest Book, I am led unfortunately to the conclusion that Ed will not be writing anymore = ever. <BR>His contributions to the Forum were great and his advice was based on experience and reason. Having been to many of the same areas I can pay him my <BR>ultimate compliment by saying that he knew well of what he spoke, and he shared with us from his heart and from his vast wisdom. <BR> <BR>He and I often had little tiffs over what was the best place to visit in the Berner Oberland. He said Mürren; I said Lauterbrunnen. He had his reasons, and I could not disagree with them. I just had another point of view. <BR>I think a fitting tribute to Ed would be to visit Mürren on a bright and beautiful day and take a long, long look at the Jungfrau. While you do, bear in mind that this was one of the places that Ed loved. And at a cafe or bistro, order your favorite cold one and give a silent toast to one of the greatest and best contributors to his forum, a man who knew his stuff and shared it without reservation. <BR>

Ed's obituary in the Kansas City Star had been posted on this thread, but it was deleted, presumably because of copyright concerns. Those who wish to read it can find it at <BR> <BR>http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/obi...011024.html#28 <BR> <BR>Ed was among the finest contributors to this forum, and he will be dearly missed.

Following is copyright of The Kansas City Star <BR> <BR>EDWARD JOSEPH GEHRLEIN Edward Joseph Gehrlein, 64, of Liberty, MO, died Sunday, October 21, 2001. Memorial services will be 7 p.m. Thursday, October 25, at Mt. Moriah Terrace Park Chapel, 801 NW 108th, Kansas City, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. He was born in Washington, PA, on October 21, 1937. He attended Brown University in Providence, RI. He worked for Trans World Airlines for 27 years, mostly in the reservations data processing area, rising to the position of Vice President of Sales. He has lived in the Kansas City area for most of the past 30 years, except for a 10 year period where he resided in Texas or Connecticut. He has lived in Liberty, MO, since 1993, when he retired from the airline industry. Since his retirement, he has been a volunteer for many Kansas City Public Television annual fund-raising auctions. For the past five years, he has created and maintained a not-for-profit website, Traveling with Ed and Julie, dedicated to providing information to help world travelers. Ed was an avid traveler himself, and was especially fond of Rome, Italy, Murren, Switzerland, Bavaria, Germany, and Ouray, CO. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph, and his mother, Marie. Ed leaves behind his much beloved wife of 21 years, Julie Gehrlein, Liberty, MO, four children, Russell Gehrlein, Hill Air Force Base, UT, Linda Palmer, Lee's Summit, MO, Bruce Gehrlein, Stamford, CT, Kathy Shelby, Aurora, CO, and 11 grandchildren. Ed will be greatly missed by all of his family, friends and acquaintances, and will be remembered most for his warm, generous spirit, his love of learning, and his desire to help others. (Arrangements: Mt. Moriah Terrace Park Funeral Chapel 816-734-5500) <BR>Back to top <BR>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <BR>

Julie: If you make it this far in the thread, please add my condolences to the army of others who appreciated Ed's insight and will miss his posts. <BR> <BR>What fabulous memories you two gathered. May they bring you smiles in the years ahead.

Julie, though we've never met, please know that I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ed, a great man. We who followed his postings had the benefit of his knowledge and of his charity as he gave so freely. Ed will be greatly missed.

Auf wiedersehen, Ed. <BR> <BR>And, if it's not too irreverent, happy travels.

Thank you, Fodors, for deleting those obnoxious, insensitive postings from this most touching tribute to Ed.

Hello All -- <BR> <BR>I've just returned from a trip planned in part with tips from Ed and was deeply saddened to hear that he has passed away. Ed was one of this forum's great voices and a veritable font of valuable advice. I thanked Ed in private e-mails for his contributions over the years, but would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge them publicly on behalf of all of us at Fodors.com. <BR> <BR>Our hearts go out to Julie. To honor Ed's invaluable contributions over the years, Fodors.com has made a donation in his name to the American Cancer Society, per his family's request. <BR> <BR>Yours truly, <BR> <BR> <BR>Danny Mangin <BR>Editorial Director <BR>Fodors.com <BR>

Danny, <BR>Welcome back from vacation & sorry you had to come back to the sad news on our loss of Ed. Ed is going to live on for a long time, within our hearts, and in our travels to the places he most loved. I think it is wonderful & generous of Fodors to make a contribution to the ACS in Ed's memory. He had a lot of wisdom & enthusiasm and will be much missed here. <BR>Thanks, <BR>BC

well done Fodors! What a brilliant gesture.

Danny, you guys are a class act!

Bravo, Danny.

That is beautiful Danny. Thanks from all of us, and I am sure his family appreciates the gesture.

Mr. Mangin, what a wonderful thing to donate to the Amercian Cancer Society in Ed's honor. Thank you and Fodors.com for recognizing what a great contributor Ed was and how the forum will miss him.

Wonderful gesture, Danny. It goes a long way for the family, I'm sure. I want to thank Ed for all his j=help. He gave me web links to planning my trip to Lucerne recently. We need more people like him.

Gosh - I had absolutely no idea. I just posted on another thread about Ed's whereabouts. I am deeply saddended by this news. <BR> <BR>We have lost a dear friend here at this forum. God bless his soul. Julie, I pray that God gives you all the strength to endure this terrible loss.

Thank you Danny and Fodors for your gesture. <BR>

Ed will truly be missed. Thank you Fodors for such a fitting tribute.

It is so sad to lose such a wonderful person. I've enjoyed Ed & Julie's site, as well as his contributions to Fodor's. We've used many of their suggestions in the past, as will probably continue to do so as that site is so packed with content. I had an opportunity to meet them in D.C. about a year ago, but was unable to follow up on it. They seemed like a truly first-rate couple. Best wishes to you in the future, Julie.

Sorry to be so late in posting condolences, but I've been over on the African boards.I Am Not There<BR>Do not stand by my grave and weep;<BR>For I am not there. I do not sleep.<BR>I am a thousand winds that blow.<BR>I am the diamond glints on snow.<BR>I am the sunlight on ripened grain.<BR>I am the gentle autumn's rain.<BR>When you awaken in the morning's hush,<BR>I am the swift uplifting rush<BR>of quiet birds in circled flight.<BR>I am the soft stars that shine at night.<BR>Do not stand by my grave and cry;<BR>I am not there, I did not die.<BR><BR>-May he travel forever and beyond. <BR><BR>

Thyra, that was lovely.That is inscribed on a gravestone in a Montmarte cemetary , and we had it engraved on a memorial for my grandmother. It just says all the right things, my condolences also to Ed's family~M

I'm reading this thread with a heavy heart. <BR><BR>I was in Rome on Oct. 21 enjoying that beautiful city for the first time. Ed had helped me make arrangements for the St. Peter's scavi tour, then sent me a delightful e-mail congratulating me on my success in getting a reservation within 24 hours of requesting it.<BR><BR>A day or so before I left the US, I was at the dentist reading the Reader's Digest in the waiting room. There was a travel quote from the twenj.com site in a recent issue. I smiled to myself in recognition and was pleased that Ed and Julie had been honored in that small way.<BR><BR>I'm so sorry, Julie, to hear of Ed's death. His love of travel and his willingness to share his wisdom mean a lot to some of us Fodorites.

The spirit of this board for most of us continues to be the desire to share our love of travel with others, helping others to have a better experience, and rewarding us by giving us a chance to relive and share our memories.<BR><BR>Thanks for sharing, Ed.<BR>Nice gesture by Fodors, Danny.

I, too, offer my sincere condolences to you, Julie, and my thanks to Danny and Thyra for your kind expressions. Diane

I've just returned after 2 weeks away, and was sorry to read this sad news. Although we never met, I feel like I've lost a friend ...<BR><BR>Steve

Steve, if you're reading this:<BR><BR>That's not your e-mail address, is it? I was trying to e-mail you. If you want to, you can reach me at this address: [email protected]

I've been away from the board for quite a long time due to a very busy work schedule. So I am truly saddened to learn that Ed is no longer with us. I too was greatly helped by Ed and his wonderful site while planning trips to Switzerland and Italy. Ed's advice and tips greatly enriched the time I spent in the Jungfrau region and in Rome. Although I did not know him personally, it is evident from his website, the way he always assisted others in this forum, and this post itself that he was a very good man. Rest in peace my friend.