Obituary for Edward T. M. Tsoi
Tsoi, Edward T.M., FAIA, a well-known Cambridge architect and founder of Tsoi Kobus and Associates passed away on August 19th, 2023 at the age of 80.
Ed grew up in New Orleans, LA and began his life in the Cambridge/Boston area where he attended MIT and received a Bachelor in Architecture. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania School of Urban Design where he completed a Masters in Architecture and a Masters in Urban Design.
Ed met his wife Louise in Boston while he was a student at MIT and they married in 1968. They moved back to the Boston area to Arlington, MA where they have lived and raised their family for the past 53 years in the home that Ed restored.
Ed began his career with the Cambridge architecture firm of Sert, Jackson, and Associates. He went on to work at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill in Boston. Ed co-founded his architecture firm, Tsoi Kobus and Associates with his partner, Rick Kobus in 1983 in Harvard Square.
Ed’s passion for the built world and his lifelong work ethic were instrumental in the firm’s early and continued success in hospitals and research laboratories, as well as universities and pharmaceutical, and commercial buildings. Ed designed one of the first proton treatment centers in the country at the MGH Hospital and continued to design many more throughout the U.S. The office received numerous design awards and grew to 130 people. Ed blended humanism and technology in his award-winning work and remained a mentor to many.
Ed also taught at the Boston Architectural Center from 1970-1973, at the Harvard Graduate School of Design from 1974-1977, and was a critic/guest lecturer in urban design from 1978-1991. He was a respected president of the Boston Society of Architects 1994-1995 and received their Award of Honor in 2013. He was also a member of the AIA National Boards. Ed’s commitment to excellence in urban design resulted in a public awareness of how buildings and open space can impact the public realm. This was best demonstrated by his participation on the Arlington Redevelopment Board for 37 years, where Ed’s gentle guidance to developers and design professionals continued over more than 200 projects.
He also served on the Boston Civic Design Commission and was a board member of the Cambridge Salvation Army, often seen at Christmas holding a donation can near his office in Harvard Square.
Ed remained a leader, role model, mentor and champion within the Boston Architectural community until 2008 when he suffered a debilitating stroke and he retired.
Ed continued to inspire in his humble way his children and grandchildren and many friends, often gathering at his beloved summer home on Martha’s Vineyard where he had enjoyed windsurfing and boating for many years.
Ed is survived by his wife, Louise of Arlington, MA, his loving daughters, Laura and her husband Jed of Arlington, MA and Alison and her husband Anthony of Chappaqua, NY, his cherished grandchildren Makayla, Matthew and Alexa, his sister Katherine “Kitty” Croft of Metairie, LA and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, David Tze Ping Tsoi.
Visiting Hours will be held at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut Street, Arlington, MA on Thursday, August 24th from 4-7PM. A Celebration of Life will be held later. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward's memory may be made to: the American Stroke Foundation americanstroke.org/donate/, aphasia.org/donate/, give.salvationarmyusa.org/give
For a complete obituary, directions or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com
Ed grew up in New Orleans, LA and began his life in the Cambridge/Boston area where he attended MIT and received a Bachelor in Architecture. He then went on to the University of Pennsylvania School of Urban Design where he completed a Masters in Architecture and a Masters in Urban Design.
Ed met his wife Louise in Boston while he was a student at MIT and they married in 1968. They moved back to the Boston area to Arlington, MA where they have lived and raised their family for the past 53 years in the home that Ed restored.
Ed began his career with the Cambridge architecture firm of Sert, Jackson, and Associates. He went on to work at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill in Boston. Ed co-founded his architecture firm, Tsoi Kobus and Associates with his partner, Rick Kobus in 1983 in Harvard Square.
Ed’s passion for the built world and his lifelong work ethic were instrumental in the firm’s early and continued success in hospitals and research laboratories, as well as universities and pharmaceutical, and commercial buildings. Ed designed one of the first proton treatment centers in the country at the MGH Hospital and continued to design many more throughout the U.S. The office received numerous design awards and grew to 130 people. Ed blended humanism and technology in his award-winning work and remained a mentor to many.
Ed also taught at the Boston Architectural Center from 1970-1973, at the Harvard Graduate School of Design from 1974-1977, and was a critic/guest lecturer in urban design from 1978-1991. He was a respected president of the Boston Society of Architects 1994-1995 and received their Award of Honor in 2013. He was also a member of the AIA National Boards. Ed’s commitment to excellence in urban design resulted in a public awareness of how buildings and open space can impact the public realm. This was best demonstrated by his participation on the Arlington Redevelopment Board for 37 years, where Ed’s gentle guidance to developers and design professionals continued over more than 200 projects.
He also served on the Boston Civic Design Commission and was a board member of the Cambridge Salvation Army, often seen at Christmas holding a donation can near his office in Harvard Square.
Ed remained a leader, role model, mentor and champion within the Boston Architectural community until 2008 when he suffered a debilitating stroke and he retired.
Ed continued to inspire in his humble way his children and grandchildren and many friends, often gathering at his beloved summer home on Martha’s Vineyard where he had enjoyed windsurfing and boating for many years.
Ed is survived by his wife, Louise of Arlington, MA, his loving daughters, Laura and her husband Jed of Arlington, MA and Alison and her husband Anthony of Chappaqua, NY, his cherished grandchildren Makayla, Matthew and Alexa, his sister Katherine “Kitty” Croft of Metairie, LA and nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother, David Tze Ping Tsoi.
Visiting Hours will be held at the Keefe Funeral Home, 5 Chestnut Street, Arlington, MA on Thursday, August 24th from 4-7PM. A Celebration of Life will be held later. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward's memory may be made to: the American Stroke Foundation americanstroke.org/donate/, aphasia.org/donate/, give.salvationarmyusa.org/give
For a complete obituary, directions or to leave a message of condolence please visit www.keefefuneralhome.com