On August 20, 2026, Edward "Ward" Hindman died a quick and nearly painless death at one month shy of age 84 years at Garnet Hospital in Middletown, NY due to complications of late-stage congestive heart failure.

Edward was born September 26, 1942 in Inglewood, CA to Edward Hindman and Josephine Long. His career as a research and academic meteorologist began in high school when he would pedal his bike to the LA airport to hang out in the weather forecasting office. Still in high school, he attended meetings of the local chapter of the American Meteorological Society at UCLA, where he met his future mentors. He completed an undergraduate degree in meteorology at the University of Utah in 1965, a Master's in atmospheric science at Colorado State University in 1967, and a Ph.D. in atmospheric science at University of Washington in 1975.

Edward was a researcher and professor. He held research positions at Colorado State University, the Navy Weather Research Facility in Norfolk, VA and the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake, CA and academic positions at the US Naval Academy and the City College of New York.

His primary research interests were cloud physics and chemistry and the meteorology of soaring flight. He was especially proud to be 1981 founder of Storm Peak Laboratory, where he undertook cloud studies and mentored students. Another driving passion of his professional life was soaring meteorology, particularly over Mt. Everest. In 1995 and 1996 he conducted an expedition to Mt. Everest to study its weather and determine the feasibility of ascending the peak with a sailplane. In the year of his death he reported on the realization of his soaring dream. His description of soaring flights of Everest and K2 can be found on YouTube.

Ward threw himself into his work (as well as gliding, sailing, cycling, skiing, and singing) with a perfectionistic intensity, but he wanted to be remembered first as a good father. When he met young couples he would tell them that having children was the best thing they would ever do. He loved and was proud of his kids and grandkids always.

Out of love for his life, professional and personal, he would repeat stories from 20, 30, 40, 50 or more years earlier. He saved boxes and boxes of photos, scrapbooks, and records. While he tried to hold onto the past and maintain a stable, familiar present, he would often say, "Nothing's constant but change."

His first marriage to Nancy Maxon produced 3 children before it ended in divorce. He was precious husband to Martha Crowner, who he married in 2011. Edward is survived by Martha; his children Kayte Maxon-Landis (Brandon), Andrew (Damien), and Joseph (Jennifer); grandchildren Vivian Maxon-Landis, Clara Maxon-Landis, and McKenzie Hindman; his brother Alan Hindman (Della) and niece Melissa Hindman-Miskell. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Joyce Breckenridge, brother-in-law Thomas Breckenridge, and nephew Thomas Breckenridge, Jr.

A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Port Jervis, NY on September 26 at 11am. RSVP to martha.crowner@gmail.com. The service will be live streamed via an address to be posted on stpeterspj.org or the church Facebook page. A later, yet unscheduled service, will be held at Our Saviours Atonement Lutheran Church in New York, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church at 31 Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771, to St. John's Memorial Episcopal Church at 40 Market St., or to Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church at 178 Bennett Ave., New York, NY.