Mr. Edwin H. Layer

Edwin H. Layer, 93, passed away on July 12, 2019 at Westminster Village, West Lafayette, IN. He was born on August 5th, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Cleveland Public Schools and earned Bachelor and Master degrees in physics from Case Institute of Technology. In 1943 he joined the U.S. Navy, served in the South Pacific and was honorably discharged in 1946.

In 1951 he married Delores F. Braun and they had three children. They divorced and he later married Virginia F. Smith.

He was employed by Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, OH, and CTS Corporation in Elkhart, IN and West Lafayette, IN. He is the holder of five U.S. patents and the author of numerous reports, publications and presentations.

He has been active in music all of his life. He played violin and mandolin in school, college and community orchestras, including: Cleveland Philharmonic, Capital University Symphony, Elkhart Symphony, Lafayette Symphony, Kountry Kernels Square Dance Band, Cherry Lane Dudes, Rocking Chairs, Dulcimer Gathering, Family Reunion String Band which plays at the State Fair every year, and Lafayette Area Folk Music Society. He is the composer of 9 fiddle tunes, published as Edwin's Tunebook. He was involved in the Indiana Fiddlers Gathering since its beginning as a player, officer and committee co-chairman and has been a member of American Federation of Musicians. In retirement he repaired violins and gave private music lessons.

Edwin took great pleasure in discussing politics, science, music and religion. He enjoyed fishing, golf and traveling. He has been a long time member of Trinity United Methodist Church and has participated in the Unitarian Universalist Church.

In 2016 he was presented with the Sagamore of the Wabash Award for his contribution to the musical community.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Virginia Smith, sons Kurt (Toni), and Christopher, stepdaughter Gail (Mike) Roberts and stepson Craig Smith, 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, sisters Grace Kerekes and Joyce Tinter (Raymond) and nieces and nephews. Edwin is preceded in death by daughter Valerie Joan Gray.

Interment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, Cleveland, OH. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. July 27, 2019 at the Unitarian Universalist Church in West Lafayette. There will be a visitation from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Memorial gifts may be directed to Indiana Fiddlers Gathering, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County or Trinity United Methodist Church.

Information: 812-597-4670

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