Dr. Isobel Lorraine Pfeiffer
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
She was born Aug. 30, 1921, in Warsaw, to Franklin Ottis and Ethel Fawn Shilling Rarick. On June 9, 1945, in San Diego she married Dr. Robert Thomas Pfeiffer, who died Oct. 31, 2010.
She grew up in the Warsaw-Leesburg area. She graduated valedictorian of Warsaw Community High School Class of 1938. She received a bachelor’s degree in 1942 from Manchester College, a master’s degree in 1948 and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction in 1966 from Kent State University.
She was truly a lifetime educator. She taught English, Latin and mathematics in fourth- through twelfth-grade levels at schools in South San Francisco, Calif.; Aurora, Ill.; Martinsville; East Lansing, Mich.; Tallmadge and Kent, Ohio. She was dean of girls from 1959 to 1966 at Davey Junior High School in Kent. She began her teaching career at the college level in 1949 at Aurora College, Ill. She became an assistant professor in Secondary Education at The University of Akron, Ohio, in 1966 and named professor in 1975. She would remain at the University of Akron until 1982. It was here that she became very active in helping students who were working on their doctorates. She continued that same assistance at the University of West Georgia, which is known as a comprehensive doctoral-granting university.
Even after her retirement and their move back to Warsaw, she would periodically go back to the University of West Georgia to assist students working toward their doctorates. She and one of her former doctoral students, Dr. Jane Dunlap, wrote a book designed to help graduate students titled “Supervision of Teachers: A Guide to Improving Instruction.” She contributed effectively to many university and college committees.
She, professor emeritus of education, will be remembered by hundreds of students at all levels. But most especially she will be remembered with special affection by her doctoral students as well as colleagues whom she has influenced through her creative teaching in the classroom and beyond.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Warsaw, and an avid bridge player and reader. She and Bob delivered Meals on Wheels in their retirement, and they were collectors of original art prints.
Surviving are a sister, Evelyn Marsh, Warsaw; two nieces, Debbie (and spouse Kevin) Plummer and Randa (and spouse Rob) Coppes, all of Warsaw; a nephew, Greg (and spouse Ann) Marsh, Portage; and several great-nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, with Pastor Gary Colby officiating. Burial is in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials to K21 Health Foundation-Cancer Care Fund or Trinity Unity Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1810, 832 E. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46581-1810.
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
She was born Aug. 30, 1921, in Warsaw, to Franklin Ottis and Ethel Fawn Shilling Rarick. On June 9, 1945, in San Diego she married Dr. Robert Thomas Pfeiffer, who died Oct. 31, 2010.
She grew up in the Warsaw-Leesburg area. She graduated valedictorian of Warsaw Community High School Class of 1938. She received a bachelor’s degree in 1942 from Manchester College, a master’s degree in 1948 and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction in 1966 from Kent State University.
She was truly a lifetime educator. She taught English, Latin and mathematics in fourth- through twelfth-grade levels at schools in South San Francisco, Calif.; Aurora, Ill.; Martinsville; East Lansing, Mich.; Tallmadge and Kent, Ohio. She was dean of girls from 1959 to 1966 at Davey Junior High School in Kent. She began her teaching career at the college level in 1949 at Aurora College, Ill. She became an assistant professor in Secondary Education at The University of Akron, Ohio, in 1966 and named professor in 1975. She would remain at the University of Akron until 1982. It was here that she became very active in helping students who were working on their doctorates. She continued that same assistance at the University of West Georgia, which is known as a comprehensive doctoral-granting university.
Even after her retirement and their move back to Warsaw, she would periodically go back to the University of West Georgia to assist students working toward their doctorates. She and one of her former doctoral students, Dr. Jane Dunlap, wrote a book designed to help graduate students titled “Supervision of Teachers: A Guide to Improving Instruction.” She contributed effectively to many university and college committees.
She, professor emeritus of education, will be remembered by hundreds of students at all levels. But most especially she will be remembered with special affection by her doctoral students as well as colleagues whom she has influenced through her creative teaching in the classroom and beyond.
She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Warsaw, and an avid bridge player and reader. She and Bob delivered Meals on Wheels in their retirement, and they were collectors of original art prints.
Surviving are a sister, Evelyn Marsh, Warsaw; two nieces, Debbie (and spouse Kevin) Plummer and Randa (and spouse Rob) Coppes, all of Warsaw; a nephew, Greg (and spouse Ann) Marsh, Portage; and several great-nieces and nephews.
She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw, with Pastor Gary Colby officiating. Burial is in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
*****
Memorials to K21 Health Foundation-Cancer Care Fund or Trinity Unity Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1810, 832 E. Center St., Warsaw, IN 46581-1810.
Condolences may be sent via www.titusfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092