Edwin Leland Rule
Dec. 21, 1918 - Oct. 13, 2011
Resident of Walnut Creek, Ca.

Ed passed away peacefully at home on October 13th at the age of 92 after a long and full life. Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Ed will always be remembered for his sharp, inventive mind and dry wit. Ed was born December 21, 1918 in Oakland. A lifelong resident of the East Bay, he grew up in Oakland and graduated from Oakland High School. He joined theArmy in 1941 and spent 4 years with the tank artillery and maintenance brigade, training in Mojave Desert and then being stationed in Southern England until the war was over. Ed started his career at Gilro Machine and Stamping Co., a tool and die company in the East Bay. In 1951, Ed began working in Berkeley for California Reinforced Plastics, which later became the Hexcel Corporation. He worked at Hexcel for 34 years helping develop a five-man company into a worldwide corporation with over 3500 employees at the time Ed retired. Ed served as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, was on the Board of Directors, and was instrumental in the development and manufacturing of lightweight honeycomb, used extensively in the aerospace industry. Ed was an avid skier and a private pilot. Once retired, he enjoyed travel, hiking and fishing with family and friends. Ed is survived by his wife, Marguerite, (whom he married in 1948), their three children, Janice Murray and her husband Ron, of Pleasanton; John Rule and his wife Julie, of Stockton; Marian Rule of Walnut Creek; and his nine grandchildren- Michael Murray, Kathleen Rief, Erin Bellotte, Matthew Rule, Kimberly Rule, Brian Rule, Allison Cope, Lindsay Cope, Andrew Cope. Ed is also survived by his sister, Audrey Woodman, of Walnut Creek. A Celebration of Life will take place at Veterans Memorial Building, 3780 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549, Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ed Rule's name may be made to: Arlington Community Church 52 Arlington Avenue Kensington, CA 94707.