Mr. Novak was chairman of the board of the Baltimore Museum of Industry from 2002 to 2006. Roland H. Woodward, who was hired as the museum's executive director in 2005, said that Mr. Novak's tenure at the Key Highway institution coincided with major challenges to its continued existence.
"First, there was Hurricane Isabel in 2003, which focused his attention for months. Then there was the embezzlement case, which was followed by an interim director, a new director who served for 18 months, and then another interim director. These were the big things Ed had to deal with," Mr. Woodward said.
In 2004, Samuel T. Mercer, the museum's finance director, was charged with stealing $324,000 - a fifth of its annual $1.5 million annual operating budget. He later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in jail.
"Ed was the glue that held the BMI together," Mr. Woodward said. "These internal and external challenges would have stumped anyone with less talent."
Helen Delich Bentley, the former congresswoman and chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission, who had been maritime editor of The Sun, was an old friend.
"Ed did a tremendous amount of good helping keep the organization going. He was a strong believer in manufacturing history and gave a lot of his time," said Mrs. Bentley, who is a BMI trustee. "He was there in difficult times and helped us struggle through them."
At the time of his death, Mr. Novak still headed the museum's finance committee.
His wife of 29 years, the former Janet T. Bullard, is senior director of volunteer management for Special Olympics Maryland, where Mr. Novak volunteered for years as an events announcer.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. June 27 at the Hunt Valley Golf Club, 14101 Phoenix Road, Phoenix.
In addition to his wife, survivors include a brother, John G. Novak of Sykesville; and several nieces and nephews.
