An innovative industrialist from birth, Ed Malzahn was a third-generation resident of Perry, Oklahoma.
In the 1900s, Ed's grandfather relocated his family to Perry and opened a blacksmith shop. Forty years later, Ed put his mechanical engineering degree to work transforming the family business into Charles Machine Works, an industry leader in trenching equipment. Soon after, Ed made a global impact in the trenching industry by developing the world's first service line trencher, Ditch Witch.
Though Ed is known worldwide for his modernization of trenching equipment, in his hometown, he is most recognized for his commitment to the Perry community. He and his wife, Mary, lived on a farm in Perry, where she delighted in raising a variety of animals including cattle, llamas, quail and turkeys. Together, they supported numerous civic and charitable organizations in Perry and throughout Noble County.
Ed and his wife, Mary, established the Malzahn Family Affiliated Fund in 1992 to support area charitable organizations, including Perry Public Schools and the Noble County Family YMCA. After Mary's death in 2011 and Ed's in 2015, a gift from their estate helped ensure the couple's support of the Perry community will continue their tradition of generosity and civic responsibility.