In Memoriam
Catherine Eilenberger (Dec 13, 1944 – Oct 22, 2010)
Dr. Catherine (Cathy) Louise Eilengerger was a member of the faculty in the Therapeutic Recreation program at Winston-Salem State University. She was a native of Fort Worth, TX and came to WSSU in 1988. Dr. Eilenberger was a caring and compassionate teacher and a strong advocate for persons with disabilities and the elderly. She came to WSSU two years after the Therapeutic Recreation program was established here. She and Cynthia Stanley, who is now Coordinator of the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) program were among some of the first faculty in the program. Dr. Stanley shares some of her most vivid and fond memories of those initial years: The TR program began in 1986. I came in 1987 and Cathy came in 1988. From then until Himanshu [Dr. Gopolan] came in 1995, it was just the two of us that comprised the TR program faculty. Thus, she was instrumental in the growth and development of the TR program. In addition to teaching and advising, she worked with, and at times sponsored, the TR Club. She was good at networking professionally with both practitioners and educators in TR. She had worked in the field for a number of years before she began teaching. The area I remember her mentioning most often was when she worked with clients with severe developmental disabilities in a residential setting. Cathy designed 28
and taught the Leisure and Aging course that is required for Gerontology majors. This is a example of her desire/ ability to collaborate with other programs and faculty.
Dr. E: Thanks for your understanding words and patience. TR program will never be the same without you. Now you can play Solitaire in peace! Much love – Martesha Cheers
Several of Dr. Eilenberger’s students and colleagues remembered seeing her walk through the hallways of the Anderson Center on her way to class on the Thursday preceding her death. She participated in the Founder’s Day Convocation on Friday morning, the day before she passed away. She fulfilled her duties as a member of our faculty until the time of her death. She will always be remembered for her dedication and commitment.
No words can express how truly missed you will be. Only God knows . . . . One thing that I will always remember that you used to say, “Use your time wisely.” And trust this, Dr. E., I will. – Ashlee Townsend
Many of Dr. E’s students have commented about the life lessons she taught, and they expressed honor and gratitude for having had her as their teacher. They spoke of her intelligence, wit, and enthusiasm, her warm and giving spirit, which many said was always accompanied by a smile. The Monday following Dr. E’s death, several of her students shared their feelings on a giant poster that had been placed on the door to her office. Here are some of their comments: Just three days ago, you were advising me in your office – doing all you could to help me as a student in the TR program. Times such as these, I will never forget – Markela Batts Dr. E: You were definitely someone with so much wisdom. I’m sad you won’t be able to share that any more. Rest in peace. – Ashley Dawson No farewells were spoken, No time to say goodbye, You were gone before we knew it And only God knows why. Love – Precious Churchill
E D U C E R E
Some alumni from the program attributed their current success as therapists to what Dr. E. had taught them and noted that she had had a great influence on them. She was called advisor by some, mentor by many, a “great professor” by others, one who encouraged her students to “love the field,” one who wanted only the best from them, and one who had inspired them to enhance the lives of people with and without disabilities. As a member of the faculty, Dr. Eilenberger fulfilled both teaching and service roles. She served in various roles on campus and on many boards and councils in the community. She was a member of the Forsyth County Aging Services Planning Committee for over ten years and was Chair of the Home and Community Care Block Grant Subcommittee. For the past fourteen years, she served on the Region I Aging Advisory Council. She was well respected for her service to the community and particularly for her advocacy for older adults. Dottie Lyvers, Director of the Northwest Piedmont Area Agency on Aging, said, “Older adults in the Triad have lost a true advocate and friend.” She described Dr. Eilenberger as “an active member of the Northwest Piedmont Area Agency on Aging’s Region I Aging Advisory Council as well as
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