Dr. Charles
Edward Quest
1941 -2024
 | Dr. Charles Edward Quest (“Ed”), beloved father, grandfather, brother, friend and esteemed professor of philosophy, passed away on December 28, 2024 at the age of 83.
Born on May 7, 1941 in Louisville, Kentucky during World War II, Ed grew up with his brother, Bill and two sisters, Libby and Barbara. In 1961, he met his wife Jane in Europe where they were both studying at the University of Vienna. Their friendship led to courtship which continued back in the States. After Ed’s graduation from Duke University, they married and came to California where Ed studied for his Doctorate in Philosophy at Claremont Graduate University. Upon graduation he accepted a full professorship at Long Beach State University, and began doing what he did best; teaching philosophy. He loved ideas about rationality and ethics, such as the morality of war, what deserves praise and the meaning of happiness. His students have described him as thoughtful, decent, and lively. During his teaching tenure he published several well-received philosophical articles.
In addition to academics he loved sports, especially baseball, basketball, tennis and that love was shared with his children. Oftentimes he would fall asleep listening to the Lakers' Chick Hearn and Dodgers’ Vin Scully.
Most importantly, Dr. Quest was a loving husband to his wife and a wonderful father to his children Molly, Peter, Theodore, William and Benjamin because he was always there; be it tennis, music, soccer or canoe trips. He also was a special grandfather to his grandchildren Jonah, Andrew, Katherine, Charlie, Timothy and Connor. His son Willy describes Ed as “the best father, the father you try to be when you become a father.”
He is survived by his wife, five children, six grandchildren, brother, and two sisters. A private service will be held for family and close friends in Long Beach, California. A separate private service will be held in Louisville, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta Georgia.
Dr. Charles Edward Quest’s legacy will live on in the lives he touched, especially those of his wife, family and the many students he taught. He will be deeply missed but his respect for the beauty and truth he saw in the world will continue to inspire those who knew him.
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