Edward L. Davis, 70, a longtime resident of Hammond, Ind., and a retired mechanical and design engineer, died of cancer Saturday in Rye, N.Y. He had been staying with his sister. Mr. Davis of Satellite Beach, Fla., worked for GATX Corp., a transportation, storage and distribution company. A native of San Francisco, Mr. Davis earned his bachelor’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In World War II, he served as a gunner in the Pacific and was called up again for about 10 months during the Korean War. At GATX, he designed and engineered refrigerated freight rail cars, said his sister, Frances Davis Thurston. Among Davis’ many hobbies were woodworking, woodcarving and reading history books. One of his trademark pieces was a 16-inch-tall pineapple cutout–a symbol of welcome. Mr. Davis had a quick wit in conversation, Mrs. Thurston said. He retired in 1993 and moved to Florida with his wife, whom he cared for despite his own illness until she died of a neurological disorder in 1997. Survivors also include his stepdaughter, Ginger Gillis. A service is planned for sometime this spring.
