Edward James “Ted” Rising, 95, passed away September 25, 2022 in Amherst, surrounded by his children.  Born November 10, 1926, in Troy, New York to Mildred (Horton) Rising and James S.  Rising, both from upstate New York, Ted graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, pursued graduate study at University of Kansas, and received his doctorate In Industrial Engineering from University of Iowa. He completed his military service in the US Army Air Corp during World War II and was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He met and married Joan Troyer in Syracuse, New York shortly after his discharge from the Army. Their marriage of over 60 years was a partnership that supported a rich life of family, careers, civic engagement and political activism. Ted was Professor of Industrial Engineering at UMass/Amherst from 1960 until his retirement in May, 1989. His area of expertise was Systems Engineering in health care delivery to optimize quality and efficiency while maintaining equal concern for the time of patients and health care providers. Ted researched and consulted world-wide on this topic, receiving recognition and awards. Ted held the George Lucas Honorary Chair at the University of Birmingham, England, where he served on the faculty 1967-68, and a second honorary chair in Vienna, Austria 1981-82.

Throughout his life, Ted enjoyed outdoor adventure and suffered a severe case of wanderlust. He hiked and camped throughout the US, Great Britain, and Europe.  He nurtured a love of the outdoors and travel in his children and friends. He led a tribe of Amherst families on week-long canoe camping and skiing expeditions. Ted skied well into his 90’s. After a knee replacement at age 84, Ted confessed to allowing himself the use of a H/C parking spot at Berkshire East where he found that his new knee would perform for only three good runs if he carried his skis up from main the parking lot!  True to his professional mission, he was efficient! Ted valued his extended family, which included many not related by blood.   Surrounded by family and friends, often beside a campfire, he would be overheard remarking, “I am a rich man!”

Ted was civic minded and cared deeply for community.  His commitment took many forms and usually included an enthusiastic physical component.  He served on several Amherst town committees and councils. Ted led the North Amherst Boy Scouts on hiking, camping, canoe and skiing trips.  He played banjo for many years with the Horse Mountain Jazz Band and took special joy in playing for the annual Puffers Pond Breakfast and at local nursing homes.  From its inception, Ted was a generous supporter of the Amherst Survival Center; for more than two decades he found delight carving turkeys and serving guests at the annual Survival Center Thanksgiving dinner.  Ted traveled to Georgia to volunteer with Jimmy Carter’s Habitat for Humanity project rebuilding burned churches.  He had a passion for adding value to every moment and encouraged others to do the same.

Ted is predeceased by his wife and partner Joan Troyer Rising, his parents, his brother, Donald Rising, and his grandson Andrew Musgrave. He leaves his 3 children and their spouses, James Sinclair Rising and Krista Oesterling Rising of Amherst, Elizabeth Rising Musgrave and Alan Musgrave of Amherst, and Kathryn Rising Baldor of Westminster, MA. He leaves his grandchildren, Anthony Baldor, Jocelyn Fykes, Daniel Baldor, David Musgrave, Jessamyn and Lisa Rising and their spouses and significant others. He leaves five great-grandchildren, Layla, Lennon, Ponder, Emma and Reiter. He leaves many nieces and nephews, as well as an extended tribe of family friends.  

 A Celebration of Life for Ted will be held on Friday, November 25^th at 2:30 pm at The Women’s Club, 35 Triangle Street, Amherst Massachusetts.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please spend time outdoors with your family and friends, and/or make a donation to a charity of your choice, the Amherst Survival Center, or Habitat for Humanity.  Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com