Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Edward Oram III SHAKESPEARE
Edward O. "Ted" Shakespeare, 92, of Roxborough, a World War II Army medic and a schoolteacher who loved drama and the theater, died Saturday, July 2, of a stroke at his home in the retirement community of Cathedral Village.
Raised in Wynnewood, Mr. Shakespeare graduated from Lower Merion High School and briefly attended Cornell University before enlisting in the Army in 1943. A frontline medic during the war, he was wounded in battle while serving with the 95th Infantry Division in Germany. Mr. Shakespeare's left arm had to be amputated.
David Shakespeare said his father's difficult war experiences shaped his strong character.
"It was his incredible willpower that allowed him to survive on the battlefield in Germany," his son said.
Mr. Shakespeare's battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for action in the Battle of Metz. After the war ended, he married his first wife, Sarah Lowry, and returned to finish his studies at Haverford College. There, he was able to pursue his love of drama, instilled at an early age by his parents.
His wife, with whom he had three sons, passed away in 1983; in 1985 he married Shirley "Skip" Mason, who recalled their first meeting at a production of King Lear, hosted by Bryn Mawr and Haverford.
"He tried out for the role of Gloucester, but he had such a wonderful voice that he earned the main role of King Lear," said his wife. "I had seen a lot of versions of the play, but never a better King Lear in my life."
His sons added that their father's love for theater was apparent in their yearly family trips to see Shakespeare plays in Stratford, Ontario. Despite Mr. Shakespeare's iconic last name and his love for theater, his son David said that the family was never able to confirm any familial connection with the playwright.
After earning his M.A. in embryology and histology from Cornell in 1950, Mr. Shakespeare began his lifelong teaching career. At the William Penn Charter School, he headed the English department and introduced a drama program. He also taught at several Main Line schools, including Friends' Central School and the Baldwin School. During this time, he was head of the English committee of the National Association of Independent Schools.
Friends and family described Mr. Shakespeare as a "born teacher" who engaged his students in the subject material. He was particularly devoted to his theater classes, said his son John, and he would often stay up until 3 a.m., playing back his recording of a rehearsal that had taken place earlier in the day.
"In our small house, you could hear the echoing of the voices on the tape recorder in the middle of the night - he was truly dedicated to his work," John Shakespeare said.
Family members described Mr. Shakespeare as an honest and upright man who was able to overcome the many difficulties he was faced with.
"Ted lost a dad, a limb, a wife, and a son, and rose above it all to live a life of optimism and conviction," said a niece, Hannah Shakespeare.
In addition to his wife and his sons, he is survived by two stepchildren, Sam Mason and Evan Beeney, and one brother, Charley. His first wife, Sarah, and a son, Edward IV, predeceased him.
A memorial service will be in October at Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Road, Philadelphia. For more information regarding the date, friends may contact 978-620-0214.
Contributions may be made to Haverford College, Delaware Valley Friends School, or Green Tree School & Services.
vkannan@@philly.com
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