Edward M. Dunham Jr. Obituary Edward Morrison Dunham, Jr. February 13, 1935 October 7, 2024 Edward Morrison Dunham, Jr., of Plymouth Meeting, PA, died peacefully on October 7, 2024, at the age of 89, of complications from Parkinsons Disease. He was born on February 13, 1935, in St. Louis, MO to Edward M. Dunham, Sr. and Alice Mary Prendergast Dunham. Their only child, he was called Ned by family and friends. A Navy veteran and longtime Philadelphia lawyer, Neds enduring belief in democratic values anchored his two successful careers. Whether in service to his community, his family, or his country, Ned selflessly gave of his time and his talents, both personal and professional. The opportunity to fly drew Ned to the Navy when he was 23 and kept him there for 37 years of active and reserve duty. After earning his wings at the Navys flight school in Pensacola, FL, in 1960, his career could have been a template for the Navys not-yet-coined, "Its not just a job, its an adventure" slogan. Highlights included 3 years based in Iwakuni, Japan, where he flew seaplanes on Cold War-era submarine hunts off the then-Soviet coast. While stationed in Coronado, CA from 1964 -1967, Ned met and married his first wife, Helen, a Navy Junior, and they had their only child, Katherine (Katie) there. As Assistant Navigator on the aircraft carrier, USS Hornet, he was deployed twice to the Vietnam Conflict from 1967 to 1969. During that period, the Hornet was called to serve as the Navys Prime Recovery Ship for Americas first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11. On July 24, 1969, Ned played a significant role as Assistant Navigator to ensure that the carrier rendezvoused with the NASA capsule at the precise time and location in the Pacific Ocean to recover our three history-making American astronauts safely. Years later, as a Captain in the Navy Reserve, Ned commanded Patrol Squadron (VP) 0693 at Naval Air Station Bermuda from 1982-1984. The island of Bermuda and the theme of navigation continued to feature prominently in Neds civilian life, as well. After 14 years of exciting active duty, Neds eagerness for new challenges led him to transition to reserve service to allow time to pursue another lifelong dream, a career in law. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1975, passed the Pennsylvania bar exam, and moved from Boston to Philadelphia. His then eight-year-old daughter, Katie, remembers those years as an endless series of Bicentennial celebrations because the "Birthplace of the American Revolution" was Boston in 1775, and the "Birthplace of American Independence" was Philadelphia in 1776. As a history buff with an abiding faith in the concept of "Government by the people, for the people," Ned was perfectly happy with two years of patriotic events. It was a fitting backdrop for his move to the city he would call home for the rest of his life. Ned continued to practice law in Philadelphia until he retired. He was a Partner, and Of Counsel, at several Philadelphia law firms, specializing in insurance coverage and commercial litigation, with particular interest and expertise in cyber risk exposure management. He was particularly proud to serve as a longstanding board member and past Chair of the nonpartisan Committee of Seventy, a Philadelphia organization with a good governance mission near and dear to his heart. An accomplished and thoughtful teacher, writer, and lecturer about a variety of legal and civics topics, he particularly enjoyed his role as an adjunct Professor of Advanced Insurance Law and Management at Rutgers-Camden Law School. Additionally, he served as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Philadelphia Commerce Program and a Trustee for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Neds boundless curiosity fueled a wide variety of professional and personal pursuits. In addition to his official roles as a naval aviator and civilian attorney-at-law, he was a skilled carpenter and sailor, sharing numerous projects and adventures with his loved ones, especially his daughter, Katie. As a young man, he was a jazz drummer with local bands in St. Louis, he was a lifelong baseball fan, cheering for the Phillies and Cardinals (in that order), and he loved anything and everything chocolate. Whether hiking with his dogs, racing sailboats, or creating the perfect joint for a piece of furniture he was making, Ned approached his life with enthusiasm and delight. His early work as a cartographer in St. Louis and as a navigator in the Navy contributed to his love of wayfinding in all its forms, from basic map-and-compass techniques to celestial navigation. He completed 13 open-ocean sailing races to Bermuda, and even on those long crossings, he relished pitting his manual navigation skills against modern electronic technology for the most accurate predictions. In his later years, Neds enjoyment of intellectual and outdoor exploration was further enhanced by sharing experiences with his dear friend, Maureen, with whom he loved walking along the Wissahickon River and hiking in the Berkshire Mountains, their home away from home. His kindness, humility, and humor will be missed by many. Ned is survived by his daughter, Katie Dunham, and her wife, Heather Edwards; his dear friend, Maureen Flannagan; first wife Helen Blanchard; and two grandchildren, Marilyn and Parker Edwards. Especially precious to Ned and his family are his many friends and the staff at The Pinnacle at Plymouth Meeting. Memorial donations may be made to: The Morris Animal Refuge and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 15, at The Pinnacle at Plymouth Meeting. A Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 AM on Friday November 15th at the Pinnacle at Plymouth Meeting 215 Plymouth Road Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462 Memorial donations may be made to: The Morris Animal Refuge and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. Services Celebration of Life Friday November 15, 2024 10:00 AM Pinnacle at Plymouth Meeting 215 Plymouth Road Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462