Lt. Col. Dr. Edwin Cottrell

On March 28, 2025, Lt. Col. Dr. Edwin (Ed, Cotty) Cottrell (1922-2025) went to join his beloved wife Mildred (Millie) in heaven. He passed peacefully at the Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, NC surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Oklahoma City, OK to the late Elmer B. Cottrell and Emma Anschutz Cottrell. He was preceded in death by his wife of 76 years, Millie Cottrell and his sister, Eleanor Hartzell.

Ed graduated from Slippery Rock High School, earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Slippery Rock State Teachers College, a Master’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Doctorate from Penn State University. Ed postponed his higher education in 1944 to volunteer for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot during WW II with the 48th Fighter Group and flew 65 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations. Cotty received the Air Medal with eight clusters, plus unit and battle citations, and more recently the French Legion of Honor Medal in 2024.

He retired as a Lt. Colonel from the Air Force Reserves after serving 28 years as a liaison officer to the Air Force Academy. He continued to support the military by founding and sponsoring fundraisers for veterans.

In his educational career, upon completing his Doctorate, he was Director of Athletics and a teacher at Milton Hershey School for orphan boys. He joined the staff of West Chester University (WCU) in 1954, and assumed roles as a professor, multi-sport coach, and Associate Dean of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation until retiring in 1980. He was the head golf coach there from 1959 through 1979, registering a dual-meet record of 202-69-1 with multiple Pennsylvania State Championships as well as Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships.

After retirement he continued his golf interests by instructing or directing at multiple golf schools including Duke University Golf School and Junior Golf. In addition, for 26 years he was an educational golf consultant and Director of Education for the Far East for the National Golf Foundation (NGF). He started his own golf school and conducted golf clinics around the world, including Holland, Japan, and throughout the U.S. Ed also coached the Netherlands Men’s and Women’s World Cup Teams in 1988.

In recognition of his long dedication to education, Ed earned many Honors and Awards. They included multiple Hall of Fame inductions from universities and the Golf Coaches Association of America. He was honored with the Joe Graffis award for outstanding service and dedication to the educational advancement of golf by the NGF and the Don Rossi Award from the Japan Society of Golf Science. In 2004, he received the Golf Coaches of America Distinguished Honor Award. In addition, he was honored with three educational awards by the State of Pennsylvania. None of these awards meant as much as the personal relationships he established with his students, team members, colleagues, friends, and family.

Ed was a people person, never met a stranger, formed bonds easily, and maintained all those treasured friendships for the rest of his life. He delighted in mentoring people to be successful in work, relationships, and life. His philosophy, passed down from his father, was ”loyalty, respect, and integrity were important principals to live by. Be kind, always be available to help people, and do what’s right.” This philosophy had an unexpected long-term impact. Thirty-seven years after Cotty coached him at WCU, a former student golf team member and his wife (Gary and Claire Daniels) established the Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. Their philanthropic gesture not only honored “Doc” but continues to benefit numerous WCU students.

Cotty was a man who gave of himself which benefitted every life he touched. He was a devoted veterans advocate and a generous benefactor of multiple charities. He and his wife Millie established two educational scholarships in honor of each of their fathers who served in WW I.

Ed greeted every sunrise of his life with joy and optimism for whatever unknowns that day held for him. Even in the last of his 103 years he lived every day with purpose and passion. To celebrate his 90th and 100th birthdays Cotty did a tandem parachute jump with the Golden Knights Parachute Team to honor the lives of his roommates that he lost in WW II. Thanks to Andy Biggio, Cotty also had the opportunity to travel the world promoting awareness and the importance of veteran sacrifices in WW II while building a new network of friends.

Left to cherish Ed’s memory are his daughters Carol Fisher (Thomas Schwartz) and Susan Nation, all of Hendersonville, nephews Col. Donald Hartzell (Mary Stuart) and Dr. John Greenwood (Linda), nieces Maj. Gen. Trudy Clark and Marie Van Aart, and several great nieces and nephews, along with all of those with whom he shared his life.

Fly High Cotty.

On Saturday, May 24 starting at 11:00 a.m., celebratory events are being coordinated by multiple Veterans Support Organizations beginning at Hendersonville Airport. Highlights include a Missing Man Formation Flyover and a potential showcase of landing WW II Warbirds. Later that day, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., there will be a celebration of life at Guidon Brewing Co., 415 8th Avenue E., Hendersonville, NC. All are invited to attend both events.

On Sunday, May 25 a memorial service and reception will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, 204 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC. Those who wish may continue to celebrate Ed’s life at the Hendersonville American Legion, which is walking distance from the church, from 2:30 to 4:30.

A graveside service will be held in Pennsylvania in June.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dr. Paul S. Weed Scholarship fund at Edinboro University, the Dr. Elmer B. Cottrell Scholarship fund at Slippery Rock University, or the Blue Ridge Humane Society of Hendersonville, NC.

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Ken Sugawara

On April 25, 2025, Ken Sugawara, passed away peacefully at the age of 98. Born in Petaluma, California to Hidyi and Kiku Sugawara, Ken's life journey embodied resilience, determination and grace in the face of extraordinary challenges. As a teenager, Ken and his family were among the more than 100,000 Japanese Americans forced into internment camps in the United States. While confined, Ken completed his high school education at the Granada Relocation Center (Camp Amache) in Colorado before serving in the U.S. Army. 

Following his military service, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Cincinnati and later received his Master's Degree in Analytical Chemistry from Xavier University. Ken's distinguished career as a chemist included work at Matheson Chemical Company, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and most notably, Corning Glass Works in New York, where he worked for 25 years. There, he secured three U.S. patents and published several scientific papers before retiring in 1991. 

In 1956, Ken married Jane Fugikawa in Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning a loving partnership that lasted nearly 70 years. Together, they had four children and moved to Painted Post, New York, where Ken was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Painted Post and served as an Elder, Christian education and youth leader. Throughout the years, Ken and Jane hosted many foreign exchange students. 

In 1972 Ken and his family experienced devastation when their home and community were overcome by the unforeseen flood caused by Hurricane Agnes. With perseverance, they rebuilt their home and lives. 

After retirement, Ken and Jane moved to Hendersonville, NC, where he golfed and enjoyed hosting his children and grandchildren. Eventually, he became guardian to his brother, Sam, and most recently a devoted caregiver to Jane. Ken had many interests, including gardening, fishing, photography, origami, reading, and bonsai. He was a busy community volunteer and enjoyed traveling with Jane across and out of the country. 

Among Ken's community involvements included his active and devoted membership at Trinity Presbyterian Church, where his quiet strength, wisdom, and generous spirit touched many lives. He continually prayed for world peace and equality. His early hardships influenced his perspective on life, leading him to value forgiveness, patience, and education. Despite the injustices he faced, Ken maintained that we are "fortunate to live here," and focused on gratitude, building bridges, and doing for others. 

Ken is survived by his wife Jane; his four children, Neal, Jay, Julie, and Glenn; his grandchildren, Todd, Cooper, Mikel, and Kayli; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his five brothers. 

A memorial service will be held on May 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hendersonville, NC. Mountain View Cremation & Funeral Care has the honor of serving the family.

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