Ed Durall

Edwin Phillip “Ed” Durall age 89 of Manhattan, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Via Christi Village in Manhattan.

Ed was born September 3, 1936 in Sterling, Kansas, the son of Ferrol and Mildred (Haas) Durall.

Ed graduated from Pawnee Rock High School in Pawnee Rock, Kansas in 1954. He attended Fort Hays State University, graduating in 1960. Ed went on to earn a Masters degree from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas and a PhD from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida.

He married Mary Louise Horning on December 26, 1961 in Ransom, Kansas. She survives.

Ed taught in public schools in Hamilton and Hutchinson, Kansas and Jefferson County, Colorado. He also taught at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida.

Ed worked in computer-based education back in the early days of computers, when a computer filled an entire room. For his Ph.D. dissertation, he studied whether computers could help elementary school kids learn math. Unsurprisingly, 50+ years ago Ed found that computers worked well for drill and practice, but could not replace a classroom teacher.

Years later, Ed worked for Control Data Corporation in Washington, DC. He worked on a system called PLATO, which was a computerized learning system with a network that stretched around the world. Decades before the modern internet, PLATO pioneered many features that we take for granted now, including touch screens, instant messages, chat, screen sharing, and even multiplayer video games. Without a doubt this was the job that Ed enjoyed most throughout his career.

Ed went on to do instructional design for military contracts and worked on many projects in the Washington D.C. area and in Florida.

After Ed retired he surprised his family by going to work for H&R Block for 10 years, where he not only helped customers with their taxes during the season, he also became a year-round manager. In that role, he taught tax classes to employees and also trained them on the H&R Block computer system.

Ed enjoyed playing golf, taking trips with his wife and family, volunteering, and cheering for the Denver Broncos. He was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather and will be sorely missed.

In addition to his wife, Mary Lou, he is survived by his son, Brian (Celia) Durall of Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania; two daughters, Leah (John) Fliter of Manhattan and Anita (Eric) Anderson of Germantown, Maryland; four grandchildren, Sophie Durall, Patrick Durall, Eric Fliter and Autumn Fliter; his brother, Michael Durall of Salina; his aunt, Nelda Gray, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jake Durall.

The family is planning a private memorial service.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Fort Hays State University Foundation to help fund student scholarships. Memorials may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.