Family and Friends of Edward De La O

Edward De La O, a grants analyst at Saddleback College since 2012, passed away on Monday, January 2, 2017 due to complications from kidney disease.

Ed was a dedicated professional who consistently challenged himself and his teammates to expand their efforts for our students and community. His colleagues appreciated his desire to always do better: If the grants team was working on securing a $5 million grant, he’d say we should go for $6 million.

Ed worked tirelessly to ensure that our grant efforts were successful – and they were, due in large part to his vital contributions to the team. Ed was instrumental in securing millions of dollars in funds from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training grant and the Health Resources and Services Administration grant, and was a project coordinator for the AB 86 planning grant that transitioned our local high school adult education programs to Saddleback. It is for all of his efforts that he was a recipient of the President’s Award for Innovation and Leadership in 2015.

Saddleback will be forever grateful to Ed for his role in helping our college substantially increase our grant awards. In addition to these contributions, Ed was admired for his quick wit, ready smile, and positive outlook, and his commitment to excellence for our students and the community we serve. He was a dear friend to many and he will be greatly missed.