When the Lakeside community learned that Ed Schave, the beloved cashier and server, will be retiring after this year, a wave of sadness engulfed our community. As Lakesiders file through the SAGE line with their breakfast items, Ed is sure to greet them with a friendly smile and help anyone who forgets their student ID. But many might not know that Ed spent 14 years catering for Lakeside before he started working in the WCC.
Ed was born and raised in Florida, and he visited his grandparents’ lake house in Michigan every summer. There was an amusement park down the street, where Ed and his grandfather played games together. Ed always had a passion for food, beverages, and entertainment, starting with his high school job as a dishwasher. From there, he owned a nightclub on Madeira Beach with live music and an outdoor bar, sporting Hawaiian T-shirts and living in a house just a quarter mile away. One of Ed’s favorite memories was when he auditioned a guy in flip flops and a cropped T-shirt to perform live. This man turned out to be Jimmy Buffett, a close friend from high school and a renowned musician.
Eventually, Ed moved up to Washington with the encouragement of his first wife, leaving his favorite hot and humid environment. “It was a tough [decision] because it’s hard to leave home,” Ed said, explaining that he was moving for a different environment with four seasons but not “snow up to my waist.”
After moving to Washington, Ed joined Lakeside as a vendor, catering for luncheons and board dinners. He set up events and served the food, particularly short ribs and other healthy dishes. “I thought it was a small college campus,” he reflected, thinking of his first impression of Lakeside. Later, he had a mobile bartending and catering company called Bowtie Bartender, which also served at Lakeside. Ed eventually switched to cashiering at the start of last year under a suggestion from Chef Ben Resnick. “I’ve had a storybook life,” explained Ed when recalling his fun experiences at his unique previous jobs.
One of Ed’s favorite moments at Lakeside was Halloween 2022, when a student dressed him as a blue monster from Monsters, Inc. — a costume that included a hat, glasses, and face paint.
After Lakeside, Ed plans to travel with his wife and buy condos in Florida, his home state, and Las Vegas, one of his favorite vacation places. He also hopes to pursue hobbies like paddleboarding, golf, and more in his retirement.
As he prepares to retire, Ed reflected, “There will definitely be a special place in my heart for the Lakeside campus.” He continued: “It’s been the time of my life. I’ve enjoyed it more than any other job I’ve had. You guys just treat me like family, and that’s just what’s kept me young.”