Walter "Ed" Edwin Ahrens, 87, of Tucson Arizona, passed away on February 18, 2016, after being hospitalized with heart complications. Ed is survived by his devoted children, Steven Ahrens, Susan Ahrens, Kent Ahrens. He is also survived by granddaughter Aileen Ahrens, daughters-in-laws Maria Hilda Ahrens and Misty Ahrens along with Gina, a spunky little feline.

Ed was born on March 5, 1928, to Walter and Elsa Ahrens in Orange, New Jersey. Ed attended Swarthmore College and graduated with a degree in zoology in 1951. He went on to Boston University to study medicine where he met his future wife, Janice "Jan" Marie Rosano.

They married in 1955 while Ed was performing his medical internship. Jan supported the household working as an operating room nurse. After Ed's graduation from Boston University, he entered the United States Air Force as a pediatric physician. Jan and Ed transferred to Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson,  Arizona in 1957 where Ed practiced pediatrics while Jan became a stay-at-home mom raising their three children, Steven, Susan and Kent.

Ed volunteered his time for various causes. He gave time for the Saint Elizabeth Health Center providing medical help for children of parents that could not afford medical insurance. He later participated in the development of the Arizona Poison Control Center. When the children were attending Sewell Elementary School, both Jan and Ed served three terms as president of the school PTA.

Although Ed's career required that he work long hours with many nights on call, he made time for his children. There are many fond memories of picnics at Sabino Canyon, hikes to Seven Falls and tubing trips down the Gila River. Ed made time for camping trips with the Indian Guides or with other families to Rocky Point, Parker Lake or the Chiricahua mountains. When the children were older, Ed and Jan joined the Square and Round Dancing Association and would regularly dance with other couples.

Traveling was a passion for both Ed and Jan. Throughout the years they traveled to Mexico, Europe and Asia sometimes bringing their children. They even loved the exotic places such as Saudi Arabia, Nepal and India. When China first opened for travel, Ed and Jan made sure they were one of the first Americans to visit. After Ed's stroke, which confined him to a wheelchair, they still traveled on cruises to the Mediterranean and Alaska.

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