Alan Blair Edinger

Alan B. Edinger won his victory over death and entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 11:55 AM Thursday, February 22nd. His earthly life ended the way he lived it – with quiet dignity, courage and in total peace. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Alan was first and foremost a servant of Christ which he did daily and often through his vocation as a self-employed IT scientist. He loved studying the Word of God and spent hours preparing for Bible studies that he led. As a nouthetic counselor at Grace Polaris Church he used the Bible to “lovingly confront people out of deep concern in order to help them make those changes that God requires.” He made a godly difference in many lives by spending countless hours serving and discipling in the congregations of Grace Brethren Polaris, Upper Arlington Grace Brethren and Beth Messiah. Alan had an uncompromising biblical worldview. He was not ashamed to stand up for the truth of God’s word and to live it out. At times that was costly from a worldly perspective but that did not matter to Alan. There was not a computer, network, cell phone or other technical device that Alan could not fix. He was a master of anything mechanical, electrical, or technical. Most of his knowledge was gained through hours of self-study versus formal education. His intellectual genius combined with his reliance on God’s Word and the Holy Spirit for guidance resulted in a giftedness that was rare and an invaluable asset to the companies and people he served. Alan graduated from North High School and attended The Ohio State University where he proudly served as a ROTC candidate in the U.S. Air Force. He was a patriot who loved the United States of America. Alan was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Selma Bassett Edinger, father Jim Edinger, and maternal grandmother Rahija Saad Bassett, his “Sitti.” Rahija was born in Kfeir, Lebanon near Mt. Hermon where Jesus’s temptation by Satan may have occurred. He sat at the feet of his “Sitti” as a child and learned the Bible from her like Timothy learned from his grandmother and mother. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Timothy 1:5). Alan is survived by brother Matthew (Rita) Bassiet, nephew Armando, special Uncle and Aunt George and Mary Edinger of Bishop, GA, aunts Lorraine, Nora and Karen, Uncle Abe, and numerous cousins. Special friend and brother in Christ, Isaac Webb, and many other brothers and sisters in the family of God provided love, prayers and support to Alan in his final months. Finally, he leaves behind his sister in Christ, business partner, confidant, best friend and recently made fiancé Maari Adams who grieves his loss but rejoices in his graduation to heaven now free from the pain and suffering that a recent stroke caused him. “And now, dear brothers, I want you to know what happens to a Christian when he dies so that when it happens, you will not be full of sorrow, as those are who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 Living Bible) A private interment service officiated by Pastor Wayne Booth of Genoa Church will be held Thursday February 29th at the Mausoleum in Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. A Celebration of Life service will be held later. Visit the Rutherford Funeral Homes website (https://www.rutherfordfuneralhomes.com) for updated information on the date. Memorial contributions in the name of Alan B. Edinger may be made to Genoa Church, 7562 Lewis Center Rd, Westerville, OH 43082. (He had recently joined Genoa Church.)

Alan Blair Edinger

January 2, 1954 - February 22, 2024