Both The Chief and Uncle Ed died of kidney disease.
- Uncle Ed needed a kidney during Season Two, and the Chief ends up being the donor. Not too long afterwards, Ed departs the series and is never mentioned again. Then, in Season Four, the Chief begins losing weight, appears tired and worn-down, and while it's clear that he's not well no mention is made of an illness. Likely, his own remaining kidney began to fail and with no viable donors left his fate was sealed.
