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A composite image featuring a large, oval, black and white framed vintage photo of Edwin Cottrell, a smiling young man in a military cap and outfit, superimposed with a smaller, square, color framed photo of two people skydiving in black and red jumpsuits against a blue sky [For Edwin Cottrell's 100th birthday, he performed a tandem skydive with Mike Elliott of All Veteran Group, Nov. 8, 2021, in North Carolina (photo courtesy of All Veteran Group)]
Cottrell flew 65 combat missions during World War II as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot.

For his 100th birthday, Ed Cottrell, ’43, performed a tandem skydive with Mike Elliott of All Veteran Group, Nov. 8, 2021, in North Carolina (photo courtesy of All Veteran Group). Cottrell passed away in 2025 at the age of 103.

Soaring Legacy

Remembering World War II fighter pilot and lifelong educator Edwin Cottrell, ’43
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lumni can share all they can about their lives after attending Slippery Rock University, but few could match the legacy of Edwin Cottrell, ’43. His story is rare on longevity alone. He lived 103 years — 82 years after he graduated — before passing away March 25, 2025.

What made Cottrell extraordinary was what he did in the sky in the immediate years after leaving Slippery Rock and in the final years of his life. That’s not to say he didn’t live a life of meaning, service and purpose in between, but people take notice if you’re among the last living veterans of World War II, having flown 65 combat missions over Germany as a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot. Then, to honor his fallen WWII roommates, Cottrell performed tandem parachute jumps while celebrating his 90th and 100th birthdays.

Portrait orientation photograph of Edwin Cottrell, an older, elderly smiling man with white hair, a bright green business blazer suit, a white collared button-up dress shirt, and a dark green plaid tie
Born in Oklahoma City, Cottrell moved to Slippery Rock in 1922 when his father, Elmer, began teaching in the Health and Physical Education Department. Cottrell attended SRU and played varsity football, basketball and tennis, as well as club baseball. Athletics were in his blood, as Elmer coached swimming, tennis, golf, basketball and football at SRU.

Cottrell earned his pilot’s license when he was an SRU student through a government program and he met his wife, the former Millie Weed, at SRU when they were freshmen. The couple was engaged before Cottrell left for the war during his senior year. Millie, who also graduated in 1943, passed away in 2020.

After the war, Cottrell returned home to begin raising two daughters, but he continued serving in the Air Force Reserves for 28 years.

Cottrell followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a college coach and health and physical education professor, spending most of his career at West Chester University, from 1954-80, including 20 years as WCU’s golf coach. During retirement, he worked for the National Golf Foundation, promoting golf in schools around the U.S.

His roots at SRU were something Cottrell would never forget. In 2004, Cottrell and his sister established a scholarship at SRU in their father’s name. Cottrell, who lived in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he would live until his death, returned to campus on several occasions.

Cottrell earned many honors and awards for not only his military service but his commitment to education and golf. Most recently, he received the French Legion of Honor Medal in 2024.

Since his passing, there have been several celebratory events coordinated by multiple veterans support organizations, including a missing man formation flyover, a fighting tribute to a man whose legacy started at the Rock before taking flight.

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