Edward Duncan DeSpain was born July 13, 1943, the son of Lloyde and Ruth (Duncan) DeSpain in Independence, Missouri. The family moved to Milford, Iowa in his youth, where he was raised and educated, graduating from Milford High School in 1961.
Edward attended the University of Chicago, where he received a BA in Economics and a BA in Business Administration. Edward continued his education in Dallas, Texas, earning his MBA in Business Economics at Southern Methodist University. While attending graduate school, Edward taught in the business department at the University of Dallas.
In 1974, he was a principle partner at Sartain & DeSpain, Economists, an economic consulting firm, until 1985. Edward then became a partner at Economic Data Analysts in Dallas until retirement. He was considered an expert on consumer credit, testifying before congressional committees in Washington, D.C.
Edward was a member of the American Economic Association, Economic Society and Financial Management Association. He loved reading, computers, science, mathematics and swimming.
Edward passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at his home in Wahpeton at sixty-four years of age.
He is survived by his mother, Ruth DeSpain Baker. He is also survived by two aunts and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lloyde DeSpain, step-father, Bruce Baker, sister, Daphne Ann Mizell and brother, Thomas Anthony DeSpain.