Dr. Edward Francis Chouinard

Born to Eternal Life Saturday, December 14, 2019 at age 78. Beloved husband of Sharon (nee Dettre). Dear father of two daughters, Melissa (Mark) McCollum of Cypress, Texas and Jennifer Chouinard of Irvine, California. Proud grandfather of Caitlin and Brett McCollum, and grandcat Frankie as well as many other beloved pets including the late cats, Emily and Allie. Twin brother of the late Alfred R. II. Further survived by other relatives, many friends, and SAE (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) fraternity brothers from Purdue University.

Edward was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 21, 1941 to Alfred F. and Hannah G. (Klein) Chouinard. Throughout his life, he lived in Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Texas. Edward was extremely bright and highly educated. He was a lifelong seeker of knowledge and earned 4 formal degrees. He graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Iowa, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. While employed by the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan, he went on to earn an M.B.A. from Central Michigan University. In addition to his many degrees, he also obtained a private pilot's license.

Edward went on to earn a reputation as a brilliant businessman. His career began with Owens Corning Fiberglass Company Technical Center in Granville, Ohio in the Environmental Research Lab. He later worked for Great Lakes Chemical Corporation in West Lafayette, Indiana as the International Marketing Director. He was very well traveled and saw all parts of the world, making friends from many other countries and cultures. Edward enjoyed collecting and displaying colorful currency from all over the world and brought back many gifts from foreign lands for his wife and daughters from his trips overseas.

In 1981, he purchased Standard Tar Products Co. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He and his wife, Sharon, worked tirelessly there for 27 years packaging and selling calcium chloride to melt ice and snow on highways as well as producing wood preservatives for log homes. Their most famous product was SNOMELT, found in stores nationwide during the winter season. It was also featured in an issue of the Smithsonian Magazine with ice fishermen melting fishing holes in the ice with their product.

In 2008, after the sale of their company, he and his wife, Sharon, retired to the Houston area to be near their grandchildren and resided in Tomball.

Edward was a member and president of SAE Fraternity and a lifelong supporter of the Purdue Chapter. In 2018, he returned to his alma mater to attend the football game of Purdue vs. Ohio State, cheering on Purdue to a glorious victory with his SAE brothers and friends. He was also a member of the Wisconsin Chemical Group, serving as Treasurer and President. Additionally, he was honored for 50 years of service to the American Chemical Society.

In 2016, he and Sharon celebrated 50 years of marriage with an entire family trip to California to see Universal Studios and the San Diego Zoo. Edward loved baseball and enjoyed celebrating the Houston Astros World Series Championship in 2018. He took his whole family to the Super Bowl Experience visitor's venue in Houston to tour all the historical memorabilia.

Edward was an intelligent, well-traveled, very driven, outgoing man with a strong work ethic and the gift of gab. He could make friends instantly with anyone he met, especially at restaurants and airports! He kept in touch with all his friends from childhood and beyond throughout his life and was an avid Christmas card correspondent! Going to lunch on Mondays with his buddies was one of his favorite pastimes. Throughout his life, Edward was extremely generous and known for going above and beyond for his family and friends. He was loved dearly and will be greatly missed!

Visitation Wednesday, December 18th from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Klein Funeral Home located at 16131 Champion Forest Dr., Spring, Texas 77379. Memorials are appreciated to the American Cancer Society.