Edward Robert Rivers, Jr.

The following obituary is being posted as a courtesy to the Rivers family. On behalf of the MRC Funeral Home family, our sympathies and condolences are extended to the family during this time. For online floral offerings or directions, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhomes.com

Edward Robert Rivers, Jr., 69, passed away on August 21, 2023, at Atrium Stanly Health in Albemarle, NC, and moved on to the next dimension with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  According to his wishes, he was cremated with no funeral service held at this time and a celebration of life service to be scheduled for a later date.

 Ed was born June 25, 1954, to Edward and Mildred (Tucker) Rivers in Chesterfield, South Carolina.  He grew up in rural Anson County, North Carolina, and later attended and worked at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill where he obtained his undergraduate (1976) and later his masters degrees (2008) in Public Health Administration.  After working many years in environmental health for Catawba County, North Carolina, he accepted a position as the Health Director for Scott County, in Davenport, Iowa.  Ed served in this position for the last ten years of his career in public health and retired in March of 2021, after a long first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 Ed met his wife, Linda, and they married in 1994, recently celebrating 29 years of marriage together. Ed enjoyed spending time with his family, tracking planes and weather, astronomy, traveling, listening to his scanner and reading.  He was especially fond of hummingbirds, hot sauce and a fine tomato sandwich. 

He is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter, Hilary Babu of Bettendorf, IA; son, Edward Rivers, III, of the home; sisters, Deana (Michael) Napier of Polkton NC, Sammi (Kenny) Williams of Norwood, NC, and Jacki (Todd) Howell of Norwood, NC, and numerous nieces and nephews.

 In lieu of flowers or cards, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the LeClaire Fire Department (CPR Training Fund), 325 Wisconsin Street, LeClaire, IA  52753.