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IN MEMORIAM
In Memoriam
Lester G. Abeloff ’39, 95 July 16, 2013
Lester Abeloff ’39 and his late wife, Clementine, were well-known local philanthropists. The retired owner and founder of Abeloff Buick, Pontiac, GMC & Nissan of Stroudsburg, Abeloff was a member of the ESU Heritage Society and a member emeritus of the ESU Foundation Board of Directors. In 2000, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education presented Abeloff with the Eberly Award for Philanthropy. The Abeloff Center for Performing Arts is named in his honor, and ESU awarded him an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2004. He was a supporter of the Warren E. ’55 and Sandra Hoeffner Science and Technology Center. The Clementine Abeloff Community Health Center at the Pocono Medical Center (PMC) was created in 1996 and Abeloff was named honorary campaign chair for PMC’s Capital Campaign in 2000. Born on Dec. 5, 1917, he attended East Stroudsburg High School and graduated from East Stroudsburg State Teachers College in 1939. He was an Air Force veteran, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel upon retirement from the Air Force Reserve. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart medals for his service in the Army Air Corps in World War II.
Dr. Kurt Wimer ’44, 98 August 2, 2013
Dr. Kurt Wimer ’44, professor emeritus of political science, was born in Germany in 1915, and came to the United States at age 23. After graduating from East Stroudsburg University, he earned his Ph.D. from New York University in 1957. He was employed at ESU from 1945 to 1985, and as a leading scholar on Woodrow Wilson, wrote many academic articles. He corresponded with a number of U.S. presidents and other dignitaries, and recently donated those letters to ESU.
ALUMNI Rosemarie P. Abitanta ’87 Marita F. Barrington M’79 Jean E. Behler ’73 Margaret A. Brecker ’98 Stephen D. Clay ’87 Barry G. Fleischmann ’63 Robert W. Garis ’79 Russell M. Hayes ’47 Lester L. Himmelreich ’49
ESU Alumni Herald
Dr. Wimer remained interested in campus and world events long after his retirement. For many years he attended the annual Kurt Wimer International Lecture Series named in his honor, which brings international scholars and political figures to campus to broaden international awareness. Memorial gifts may be made to the ESU – Dr. Kurt Wimer International Lecture Series Fund.
Dr. Joseph ‘Jay’ Brennan, 82 August 11, 2013
Dr. Brennan’s passion for life, the arts, books, film, and travel drove him to a career in theater. He taught and directed generations of ESU students as a theater professor from 1960 to 1999. He was chairman of the ESU speech communication and theater arts department from 1973 until the departments separated in 1982. He then chaired the theater department for 10 years. Dr. Brennan directed more than 70 plays at ESU, ranging from Shakespeare to modern comedy and drama. He also taught theater courses at Oxford University, England, where he was one of the founders of the Oxford Court Players. Before his appointment at ESU, Dr. Brennan taught junior and senior high school English and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Iona College, a master’s from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from New York University. Memorial gifts may be made through the ESU Foundation to the J.J. Brennan Theatre Excellence Scholarship, which was established in 1999 upon his retirement.
Dr. Larry Hapke Dr. Hapke served as dean of the Graduate School and Continuing Education from 1982 until his retirement in 1999. He spent his retirement years in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. Memorial GIFTs ESU Foundation, 200 Prospect St., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Or give online: esufoundation.org/givenow
Helen Koshensky ’96 Jodielynn F. Kuhn ’92 M’00 Joseph M. Mikelski ’83 William B. Nonnemacher ’79 Jennifer Parduski ’91 Eric R. Polchin ’95 Elaine M. Robinson M’88 Kenneth M. Rozelsky’60 Herbert A. Smith ’58 Caroline Vandemark ’13 David A. Walls ’60
Andrew M. Wertz ’79 MaryCarol Wipperman ’74 Donald B. Whalen ’49 Jane Moll Yoder ’48
FACULTY (Retired) Kenneth Winfield
FRIENDS Murray H. Abeloff John H. Grant
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