Edwin R. “Ed” Haufler, age 91, of both Richmond and Mathews, Va., peacefully passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Ed is survived by his children, Robert E. “Bob” Haufler and his wife Maggie, Timothy R. “Tim” Haufler, Julie A. Willaford and her husband Paul; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Ed was preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Dorothy “Dot” Haufler; his beloved daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Haufler, and a grandchild, Evan M. Haufler.

Ed had many passions but above all was his love for family. He never missed a ball practice, game, recital, graduation or any other special event involving his children and later, as possible, his grandchildren. He was a loving, kind, patient and gentle father, grandfather and devoted husband.

Ed’s other passions included fishing and a lifelong love for gardening. As his children, we have many memories of being on the water with him, navigating the bay in search of the best fishing holes. Later in life he endeavored to learn public speaking and joined the local West End Toastmasters Club and within two years became its president. In Ed’s fifties, he decided to learn the violin and joyfully played until he was unable.
Ed’s professional career began at the Newport News Shipyard Apprenticeship School where he learned the machinist trade and after a short period in the Air National Guard, he began working for Reynolds Metals Company until retiring in 1993.

Ed had a deep love for God and his church and faithfully served Mathews Baptist Church as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Every visit with him in his later years would be met with reminders that he prayed for us each by name every morning. He was also a volunteer for many local organizations other than his church which include the Mathews Auxiliary Rescue Squad, Mathews Music Club where he served as president, and the Virginia State Fair Ambassadors.

Ed and his late wife Dot were avid square dancers and traveled all over the state of Virginia and the Southeast showing off her crinolines. They were always together, and her passing was difficult for him, but he soon regained his footing and continued to do all the things they loved to do together and added a few more of his own.

The family received friends at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, 160 Main Street, Mathews, Va. 23109 on Wednesday, December 20 from 4-6 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Mathews Baptist Church at 8284 Buckley Hall Road, Hudgins, Va. 23076 on December 21 at 1 p.m., followed by a burial at H. C. Smither Memorial Cemetery. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall following the burial.