Lieutenant Colonel Edward Russell Lansdale, United States Air Force, Retired, 86, of Garden City, New York died at home on October 6, 2025 with family at his side.  

Born in San Francisco, California in 1939 to Edward and Helen (Batcheller) Lansdale, Ed, the son of a career military officer, spent his childhood in places such as Northern California, Washington, D.C. and the Philippines. Upon graduating high school, Ed worked for the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. Soon thereafter, he moved to Tucson where he attended the University of Arizona and joined the Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation he received a regular commission as a second lieutenant.    

A proud veteran, Ed served 20 years in the Air Force, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel before his retirement.  While serving his country, Ed attended the National Security Management School, Air Command and Staff College, and Squadron Officer School, among others. He also earned a master’s degree in communications from Boston University, and served abroad in South Korea and Canada. Ed spent most of his time with the Air Force Office of Public Affairs. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, he spent another 20 years working in the public relations industry, where he specialized in crisis communications, before retiring as a senior vice president and senior partner with a large, international public relations agency. Never one to sit still, he then taught business classes to undergraduates for many years at several colleges.   

Ed’s true passion and joy, however, was his family. A devoted and loving father, Ed taught his children the values of humility, quiet determination, and hard work, all under the banner of the Air Force motto, “Aim High!” Ed was a fantastic writer who played the role of the loving family copy editor, never passing up an opportunity to point out a dangling modifier in any school report that may have been left out too long on the kitchen table. He was a captivating storyteller, and his time abroad and in the military provided him with a rich store of material. Ed was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren who delighted in his unique combination of quick wit and military bearing. 

Ed shared 59 wonderful years of marriage to Carol, who complemented him in the most wonderful ways. They famously met on a blind date arranged during one of his first assignments in Madera, California. Together, they forged a life built upon love, respect, and admiration. In Carol, Ed met his match, not to mention his soulmate, and they spent their years of retirement traveling around Europe and doting upon their grandchildren.  

Ed is survived by his wife Carol of Garden City; his son Mark Lansdale; his daughter, Sarah Rudaitis, son-in-law Ron, and grandchildren Henry and Maggie of Greenlawn, New York; his son, Ted, and daughter-in-law Kiki and grandchildren Charlie, Jane and Ben of Holliston, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his brother, Peter, and sister-in-law Carolyn of Ponte Vedra, Florida, both of whom he loved very much.

Ed will be greatly missed and long remembered. A visitation will be held on October 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Garden City, New York, followed by a brief service at 11:00 AM. A private burial will be held at Calverton National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to Wounded Warriors or Disabled American Veterans.