Former dean of the BYU College of Fine Arts & Communications, Edward Adams, died Sept. 5 in Liverpool, England.
Having served in academic leadership positions for 24 of his 30 years at BYU, Adams was a beloved and integral member of the BYU community.
Adams' impact on BYU will be felt for decades to come. During his time as dean, Adams established innovative labs for communications students and helped build three buildings: the Arts Building, the Music Building, and the West Campus Office Building. He also renovated the Brimhall Building and was a light to his coworkers and students.
Reflecting on his decade-long career as dean after leaving the position, Adams wrote:
"When I became a dean, I didn't have any aspirations beyond improving our faculty and fostering a healthy, collaborative relationship between the dean’s office and the academic units and supporting organizations of the college. These past 10 years have been the most rewarding of my professional career. I love the work of the college and I have enjoyed witnessing the differences everyone makes in their lives and in the lives of our students. I will miss our daily interactions and the continual opportunity to learn from you."
“He didn’t set out to be an administrator, but he embraced the opportunities. He enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of serving with associates as they grappled with difficult and challenging issues,” his obituary reads.
Born in 1960 in Ohio, Adams died a faithful father, husband, leader and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
His obituary states, “The most formative event of his childhood occurred when his parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
Often serving as a leader in his home, his work and his Church callings, Adams was an example of Christlike leadership and mentorship in every aspect of his life.
“Time and again, he offered his shoulders, insight, experiences and expertise for people to stand on,” Preston, his youngest son, said. “He freely gave up his time and his talents to lift others to strengthen people, their ideas, systems and groups so that they could see further than they could've seen on their own.”
"He was always serving others. His family, ward, students, colleagues. That’s just what he did," Dallin, his second oldest son, said.
Despite all of his obligations, Adams remained an attentive father and husband.
“He was always there,” Kylie, his third child, said. “He made every single person feel important and feel loved and appreciated and needed and heard.”
Once he became a grandfather, his world once again expanded.
“He loved playing games with his grandchildren. They loved playing active games with him: ‘Get Pirate off the Ship,’ ‘Foot Monster,’ and ‘The Sock Game,’ which were all games he created with them,” his obituary states.
His obituary characterizes Adams as a “news junkie” — he spent time every day scanning news headlines, and took pride in being informed. This hobby of his paralleled another of his interests: history.
“I love hearing him talk passionately about places, people and events that shaped the world,” Krista, his oldest daughter, said.
Adams was a truly lifelong learner, always seeking new knowledge and insights.
“Ed published over 50 articles on the history of the media. He enjoyed all aspects of history and stored up all kinds of trivial historical facts and minutiae,” his obituary reads.
After his passing, all those that knew Adams came together to reach out and support his family.
"The number of people from the School of Communications who were there for my family immediately upon hearing of my dad’s passing speaks to the type of person my dad was, that they would care so much about him and his family to go above and beyond to support us," Dallin said.
Survived by his wife and five children, Adams left an unforgettable impression on all he interacted with.
“He was compassionate and empathetic,” said Blaine, Adams’ oldest son. “There was never a man more generous and loving.”