Many of us remember Ed as the e-resources guy. He was there at the beginning of Cornell’s venture to offer access to electronic journals, reviewing license agreements, making sense of IP ranges and addresses, trouble-shooting access when our users couldn’t get connected. Many of the vendors knew him on a first-name basis because he was the guy who would call them when things weren’t right.
But before all of the e-stuff, he headed the Ordering Unit, was in charge of the Searchers, helped to catalog materials in the New York Historical Resources Center and, even before all of this, was one of the cheery folks who greeted anyone entering Olin Library early in the work day (yes, there used to be door guards in Olin).
When I first started in 1988, Ed was the guy who made the click-clack, click-clack noise as he entered Olin (he had special footwear associated with his biking gear). Because biking was so much a part of his life and he was so enthusiastic about the sport, I will always remember them together. I hope he’s found a nice new mountain to take on with his bike.
When I started working in CTS (as we were then) in 1984, Ed was one of a gang of three misfit men in Serials who wore shorts and flip-flops and hangovers to work in the office and incurred the heavy scorn of the ladies they shared their typewriters with. I ended up married to one of those men, who now frequently wears a tie to work, but Ed stayed wild. His metabolism revved at a much higher rate than your average person's—certainly much higher than your average library worker's—and he didn't do slow-and-steady. He did do competent, however, and watching his high-end competence perform on a bicycle or an acquisitions problem was a real pleasure. When he started going too fast and losing control, it was distressing for all of us to watch.
ReplyDeleteAs keenly as I feel the loss of Ed's spirit in the office, the special place he holds in my heart is more closely related to joy than to sadness. I know it sounds silly to associate joy with a fellow Technical Services worker. But I'll never forget the time I was innocently returning to my desk and he grabbed me by the hand near where Joe McNamara sits now and started to try to teach me the lambada. Of course I couldn't really do it, so the dance ended up mostly me standing as dumb as a post and Ed making semi-obscene knee-bends at me. It is hard to understand that a person of such vitality, charm and humor could be gone.
--Sarah Ross
The first time I worked closely with Ed was when planning a CTS Holiday Party. He was very clever with a knife and we always had him cut the veggies. He got his veggie cutting talent from working at Greek Peak, so I was told. He could turn the bottom of the celery into a beautiful flower and also did clever work with radishes. He had a way with garnishing a tray of food. I remember one year we ran out of wine at our party and Ed hopped on his bicycle and rode down to college town to get some more. He was a fun guy to be around. And I too can still recall hearing him enter 110 in his fancy bicycle shoes and seeing his bike in Room 111 when he was head of the ordering unit.
ReplyDeleteEd turned me on to the Tour de France, a bike race I now spend hours watching every July. Marco Pantani, Jan Ullrich, Lance Armstrong: all riders we enthused over on summer afternoons sitting out in front of Olin Library.
ReplyDeleteEd had a devilish smile and that slightly wicked spark in his eyes that told you he was quite capable of getting into big trouble, which of course he did. But I always envied his gusto. He had a great deal of enthusiasm about things he enjoyed, including cycling and cars. (Ed was the only person I ever knew who could wax poetic on the big boxy Volvos of yore.) But what I will always remember most about Ed was how he loved to talk. Ed could talk about anything--and would, given the slimmest hint of a chance. As a speaker, he was practically indefatigable, and he talked almost as fast as the crazy Subaru rally cars he loved and drove could race. Though sadly silenced now, I can still conjure his voice in my head, its New York inflections intact, holding forth on everything from the Tour de France to the perils of dealing with Elsevier. I mourn his loss.
ReplyDeleteI worked with Ed closely when we installed EZProxy. It was then that he, Liisa, Amy and I shared the 2005 Outstanding Employee Award. I always enjoyed Ed's humor and stories. I know he had some difficult times, but when I think of him, I will remember his smile and seeing him biking to work in the morning. I think we that knew him will definitely miss him.
ReplyDeleteI imagine my words may not be read but I still feel the need to share. I just heard tonight of Ed's passing - I was heart broken - though I haven't seen Ed in two decades. Still I always thought of him as a kind of spiritual brother.
ReplyDeleteOur lives ran an odd parallel course - always apparently through chance - always bumping back into each other along the way.
Ed and his family moved to Sea Cliff when I was twelve, where my family had also moved just a few years earlier both of us from the city. Ed went to elementary school at St. Boniface where I also attended school. I would walk to his house and wait while his mother made him drink a cup of steaming hot tea. Ed was two years older then me but he let me hang around with him often showing me the ropes in the way a big brother shows his kid brother how to get over. We both enjoyed basketball and later played soccer in high school.
Because he was older we didnt socialize or see too much of each other in HS. I went off to college at SUNY Cortland and was quite surprised to run into Ed one day on campus - neither of us knew the other was attending college in Cortland.
We resumed our friendship hanging out periodically, he turned me on to reggae. I was into rap and old school R&B and Jazz. Both of us were dealing with an excessive lifestyle and again just floated apart.
When next we bumped into each other I learned that he like me had found his way into the kitchens, working as a cook. I had just finished a season at Greek Peek where I learned he too had worked a few seasons before. We traded kitchen stories and again moved on.
We didn't see each other again for many years but the next time we did it was in Sea Cliff where I was now once again living. I was out for a ride, I had gotten heavily into bike racing and was surprised to run into Ed on his bike. He shared with me that he was racing quite successfully in Ithaca. He also told me that he was working in a Cornell University Library - I had been teaching for some years by then. He was married - I believe his two daughters were already born - my two daughters, Gillian and Madeline would come some years later.
That was the last time I saw Ed.
We never talked about the bizarre nature of our parallel lives. Perhaps he never even considered it.
Ed was always so good to me - the person you all describe with love is the person I remember - thats who he always was - even as a young teenager - a man of so many words - so often brilliant but also tragic - always passionate. So much energy - so funny.
I want to thank all of you for writing about Ed - while I havent seen him in so long all of your words have left me feeling like I had the chance to catch up.
Thank You
Dan D'Amico
dcad2@yahoo.com
Several years ago I was called upon to make a minor presentation at a voyagers users' group in Princeton, NJ. Since I didn't wish to share a van with my then boss and 2 or 3 random people, I chose to drive myself and advertised for a traveling companion.
ReplyDeleteWell, Ed showed up. I hardly knew him at the time but he was one of those guys who's just great company. We took our time driving down but arrived in plenty of time (1:55) for Ed's 2PM skit at the conference.
On the way home we stopped and looked at tractors, talked about women (mostly Ed's), and had a few beers.
I don't remember s**t about the conference but will never forget riding with Ed Zieba.
Pete Hoyt, Olin Library computer support
For those who still check out this page, there is a very nice profile of Ed written by David Banush in 2005. It gives a great, brief history and includes a few more photographs.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.library.cornell.edu/backstory/v2no2/staff.htm
-scott
I just very recently found out about Ed and I am sad for the loss to the Cornell community, the mt biking, skiing and outdoor community and most important, his family. I first met Ed in 1996 when he was leading mt bike rides for The Bike Rack out in Shindagin Hollow. At the time I was riding a hybrid bike in the woods. Yes, a hybrid and no one made fun of me, at least not to my face! I showed up week after week because Ed (and Bill W.) took the time to teach me how to ride single track. They even helped me put together my first mt bike. Ed's passion and easy going spirit inspired and made me passionate about mt biking and what pushed me to be a competitive racer. I am fortunate to have known Ed and I am very sad that he has passed on. Miss you Ed.
ReplyDeleteI just learned of Ed's passing, having looked him up on line. I also have a very positive story about his sharing and dedication to helping people ride mt bikes. I first met Ed in 1996. Along with Bill, we spent nearly every weekend that summer in the bike tracks. Ed was a great teacher and generous with his time. During a visit to Ithaca in 2005, I saw Ed after having left Cornell and Ithaca. He still remembered me. It brought back fond memories. Fond memories is how I will remember Ed. I wish his family peace.
ReplyDeleteRussell
High school chum-best friend and cognitive astronaut! Tim
ReplyDelete