It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a dear friend, who was a wonderful asset to the Friends of Maryland’s Olmsted Parks & Landscapes (FMOPL). Ed Orser was a remarkable individual who left an everlasting mark on those fortunate to know him. Ed’s passion and dedication to teaching made him a cherished friend to many.
During his time with FMOPL, he served as president from 2011- 2014. He was also on the Advisory Council of the Olmsted Network (formerly known as the “National Association for Olmsted Parks”). He was an amazing storyteller and gave talks and tours about Baltimore parks. With his many years of teaching, he taught classes on Olmsted through the Johns Hopkins Odyssey Program.
He wrote articles on Olmsted topics for FMOPL’s publication, the Olmstedian, including A Tale of Two Park Plans: The Olmsteds’ Vision for Baltimore and Seattle and an article for the Olmsted Network. Other publications included Blockbusting in Baltimore: The Edmondson Village Story, and The Gwynns Falls: Baltimore Greenway to the Chesapeake Bay.
Ed was passionate about the preservation of parks, and he helped to make the Olmsted Parkways a city landmark with the Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation. He was an active leader in the preservation and interpretation of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. He facilitated the transfer of the FMOPL archives to the Baltimore City Archives and initiated getting the Olmsted map in the Maryland Department of Planning conference room.
Ed has left a remarkable legacy and he will be dearly missed. We send our sincere condolences to Ed’s family. The memorial service is this Saturday, January, 20, 11:00 am at Salem Lutheran Church, 905 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be made to Salem Lutheran Church. Salem Lutheran Church (www.Salem-Catonsville.org/) or the Charlestown Scholars’ Fund (www.ccicharlestown.org/giving/scholars-fund).
You can read Ed’s obituary here (https://www.macnabbfuneral.com/obituaries/William-Edward-Orsere?obId=30314855