George Edwin Tilden

WINDSOR-George E. “Eddie” Tilden, age 74, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. He was born on January 7, 1939. George married his high school sweetheart, Karen “Mickey” Koritz on June 18, 1961. He graduated from Chesterton High School in 1957 in Chesterton, Ind. After high school, George received his B.S. from Purdue University and then his M.B.A. from Michigan State University. In 1961, George joined the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant. George’s military career spanned over 24 years in Transportation Management and Operations Research/Systems. During one of his numerous state side tours, their daughter, Shawn Alison, was born at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Overseas tours included Korea, Vietnam, Portugal and Germany. He retired from the U.S. Army in Tampa, Fla., and began a civilian career working for SRA (Systems Research Analysis) and MITRE Corporation, retiring in St. Louis, Mo. in 2002. George and Karen moved to Madison to be closer to their daughter and her family, who had remained in Madison after George’s assignment as Professor of Military Science with the U.W. Madison. George led an active retirement, building model train platforms and keeping current with the constantly changing world of new technology. When not building model trains, George scoured antique stores for coo-coo clocks and other antique clocks that could benefit from his restoration. George liked being outdoors and spending time at the family cottage. Never one to sit still for long, he worked on restoring the family cottage and along with his son-in law, he built an addition to their home. He is survived by his wife, Karen; a daughter, Shawn (Bill) Frederickson; a grandson, Billy (Ashley) Frederickson, who are expecting in April; a brother, Jim (Bonnie) Tilden; a sister, Kathy (Dick) Mills; a sister-in-law, Judy Ott; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bud Tilden and Pat Tilden; and a sister, Margie Winn. Military honors will be conducted at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. A visitation will follow at the funeral home until 4 p.m. Online condolences may be made to www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420