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The late Kelly Edwards just couldn鈥檛 stop working. After retiring as principal of Scott | Edwards Architecture in 2013, he continued his involvement with the Portland firm.

鈥淗e was active pretty much to the end, and he loved to work on projects,鈥� Scott | Edwards principal Sid Scott said. 鈥淗e was the best all-around architect I鈥檝e ever known, period. A very talented individual.鈥�

Edwards died Sept. 1 at age 62. His real passion, Scott said, was for the technical aspects of architecture.

鈥淗e had his hands in most of our projects we鈥檝e done over the years, especially from the technical side,鈥� he said.

Edwards鈥� designs were 鈥渧ery technically sound, very well-crafted and built to last,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淗e was the most amazing problem-solver, and as the years went on he was literally a legend in our shop. If anyone had a perplexing problem that seemed hopeless, he鈥檇 grab a cup (of coffee) and they鈥檇 figure it out.鈥�

Edwards also was a master at solving building code issues and an excellent planner, Scott said. Edwards performed planning as well as designs for several projects in Pacific City, including Shorepine Village, Pelican Pub and Brewery and the Inn at Cape Kiwanda. Two of his best-known projects in Portland were the Portland City Grill and Henry鈥檚 12th Street Tavern, Scott said.

Edwards鈥� legacy will last, Scott noted, because he invested in the futures of many young architects at Scott | Edwards.

鈥淗e was very passionate about what he was doing and has been a fantastic mentor to all the folks who worked with him,鈥� Scott said.

Scott | Edwards Architecture on Friday will pay tribute to Edwards with an open house at its office, at 2525 E. Burnside St., from 2 to 5 p.m. An informational presentation is scheduled for 3 p.m.

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to have stories and photos and whiskey,鈥� Scott said, adding that Jack Daniels was Edwards鈥� favorite brand.

Edwards grew up in Junction City and received a degree in architecture from the University of Oregon in 1977. He began his career with the Van Lom-Kraxberger Partnership, and became a partner in 1988. Ten years later, he joined Scott Architecture, which soon was renamed Scott | Edwards Architecture.

鈥淗e was a fantastic business partner and when he joined us, my wife and I were running the firm,鈥� Scott said. 鈥淗is wife also joined us, and the four of us did everything and we laughed about being a mom-and-pop organization.鈥�

Scott said Edwards was instrumental in the firm earning numerous industry and design awards, and growing to its present size of 65 employees.

Funeral arrangements and obituary information for Edwards are being kept private, Scott said.

People who want to honor his memory are invited to make a donation to , a metro-area furniture bank. The nonprofit provides individuals and families in need with basic and essential household furnishings.