The Abbey Family Says Goodbye to Alumni & Friend Ed Antosek ’68

On Friday, November 9, the Abbey said goodbye to a beloved alumnus, scholar, patriot, brother, and friend. A man who dedicated his life to serving his country and his fellow man, Captain Louis Edward Antosek, known as Ed by those who loved him.  As a decorated captain in the U.S. Navy, Antosek leaves behind a legacy of love and service. He exemplified a true Abbey man in his passion for the Abbey and his love for others. 

Born in Philadelphia, PA on 29 January 1947, to the late Louis J. Antosek and the late M. Eileen Antosek, Ed graduated from Boyden High School in Salisbury, NC in 1964.  Ed went on to graduate from Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, NC in 1968 and from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, PA in 1972. Ed served in the United States Navy as a Family Physician and Naval Flight Surgeon from 1976-2007. During his time with the Navy, he served in a variety of positions including commander on the US Naval Medical Research Unit in Cairo, Egypt. In 2004, Antosek became the commanding officer of the Naval Medical Research Center and chief executive for the biomedical branch of the Navy Medicine Research Laboratory System. There, he directed naval medical research efforts and oversaw a rich global network of academic and professional research collaborations. He completed thirty years of service, and in 2010, retired to Burnsville, NC.

Antosek served not only his country and fellow man; he was also a tremendous supporter of his alma mater. “Ed was an ever-happy presence who loved his alma mater and did much for the College and our students. I will very much miss his friendship, his greetings, and his regular and thoughtful requests of Masses for his relatives and friends,” said Belmont Abbey College Chancellor, Abbot Placid. 

At every opportunity, he stepped forward to give his best to the Abbey. From 2013-2017 he served as president of the Alumni Association giving that role a new level of vitality not seen in many years. Antosek was always a presence at Abbey events such as Homecoming. You could always rely on his quick wit and big smile to brighten up every room. “Ed’s love for the Abbey was unfailing.  He always had a story to tell about meeting Abbey grads all around the world.  He will be greatly missed by many in the Belmont Abbey Alumni community and by all in the Alumni and College Relations Offices,” said Bridgette Conboy Director of the Alumni Relations. 

Antosek helped with fundraising for the College, recruited students, and promoted the Abbey amongst his peers. He had a big heart, demonstrated not just by his infections laugh but his generosity to others in need. In recognition of his contributions, the Abbey honored him as the Brother Gregory Corcoran Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1984 and inducted him into the Belmont Abbey College Wall of Fame in 2005. 

As a Phi Kappa Theta—Alpha Rho brother, Ed was a cherished member of the Abbey’s Greek community. “Dr. Ed Antosek loved the Abbey Family—monks, faculty, administrators, students, and alumni.  He was also deeply devoted and ineffably generous to his own family, his patients, his country, Phi Kappa Theta, and his friends. Ed’s contagious grin and sudden laugh always raised the spirits of those privileged to know him,” said Ken Wilburn, classmate, and fellow PKT-AR brother.

“The Abbey was “home” for Ed Antosek, and the monks, students, faculty and administration of the monastery and college “family.” Whether in his office, on an aircraft carrier or in casual conversation with friends, his enthusiasm and pride in our alma mater inevitably sparked a smile and led to a lively dialogue,” said close friend and notable alum Rick Salem.

Antosek’s friends and his Abbey home will miss him dearly.

Survivors include brothers Joseph of St. Louis, MO, William of Edgewater, MD, and Richard of Coral Springs, FL; sisters Mari Reavis of Eden, NC, Michele Antosek of Salisbury, NC, Rosemary Antosek of Salisbury, NC, and Sally Antosek of West Palm Beach, FL; thirteen nieces and nephews; and ten grand nieces and nephews.

Ed’s funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Salisbury, NC, on Friday, January 4, 2019. The family will receive guests at the church at 10:00 a.m., the funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. with burial following in the National Cemetery in Salisbury with military honors. Following the burial, the family will host a reception at the Salisbury Country Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont, NC 28012, or to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, 4170 City Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130.

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord.