Edwin S. "Ted" Tanner

1932-2020

Ted Tanner, born in Berkeley in August 1932, passed away peacefully on December 24th in his Menlo Park home, his residence the past 63 years. In the words of hundreds who loved and admired Ted, he was sweet natured, relentlessly cheerful, kind, compassionate, authentic, loyal, inspirational, fun-loving, and gregarious, a big guy who made everyone in his presence feel loved. After spending most of his childhood in San Leandro, Ted moved with his parents Stanley and Helen to Santa Rosa in 1948 and attended Santa Rosa High School, where he was a 3-sport athlete.

Ted's next stop was Stanford University, where he enrolled in 1950 and pursued a degree in Political Science, joined and lived in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and played football, a career that included the 1952 Rose Bowl and appearances in the 1954 College All-Star game in Chicago against the NFL Champion Detroit Lions and the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco. Ted was also a proud member of the Stanford rugby team.

Upon graduating Ted served two years in the Air Force, stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base, where he also played football with the Hamilton Defenders, before returning to Stanford to earn an MBA. It was during that transition from the military to Stanford Business School that he met Marie Jo, and the two married in 1957, starting a family that included four children. They remained married until Marie Jo's passing in 1987.

Ted's career included stops in electronics and telecom before shifting into the moving business, where he thrived as agent-owner of a United Van Lines franchise in Redwood City. Ted was also inspired by and took on leadership positions in programs for underserved kids, including the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula and The Guardsmen of San Francisco. And throughout his adult life he was active at Stanford, volunteering both as a class coordinator for his Class of 1954, and as a leader supporting Stanford Athletics, including a stint as chair of the Buck Club. He was also a lay reader at Holy Trinity Church in Menlo Park, where he was a parishioner for almost 65 years. He loved spending summer days at Lake Tahoe and fall Saturdays at Stanford football games.

For the past 32 years, Ted has been inseparable from his wife Ginger, a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi who was at his side running the moving business, remodeling their home, traveling the world, and cheering on Stanford teams.

Ted leaves behind Ginger, daughter Mary, sons John and Richard, Ginger's daughters Laura and Genevieve, his sister Mary Jo, her husband Les and their children Steve and Suzanne, as well as seven grandchildren. He was pre-deceased this past spring by his youngest son Russell. Those who survive Ted know he would have insisted that all his loved ones and friends live life as he did, launching into each day with unbounded exuberance, appreciation and empathy.

Given the pandemic and social gathering constraints, services will be determined as circumstances allow. For those who may be inclined, the family suggests donations to either of these organizations in Ted's honor, in lieu of flowers: The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (bgcp.org) or Stanford's Buck/Cardinal Club (giving.buckcardinal.com).

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Ted's caregivers and the staff of Mission Hospice of San Mateo.