Name:
Location: Indiana, United States

I became a Professor Emeritus after serving 29 years as a recreational therapy faculty member at Indiana University. I'm a long-time Hoosier, having grown up in Hanover, Indiana. My RT practitioner work was in psych/mental health. After completing my Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, my first faculty position was at the University of North Texas. RT has been a wonderful profession for me as I have had the opportunity to serve as an author and national leader.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Judith Voelkl's Obituary

This obituary for Judith Voelkl was sent to me by a friend:

Judith E. Voelkl of Champaign, 51, formerly of Clemson, South Carolina, passed away on February 7, 2009 at the home of her sister and brother in law in Champaign. Voelkl was born on February 25, 1957 in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up in Lisle, Illinois.

She received her B.S. from Illinois State University, her M.S. from Indiana University, and her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University. She was a Professor of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University. Her scholarly work focused on quality of life issues for elders residing in nursing homes. She received numerous awards for her work, including the 2005 Scholarly Achievement Award from the American Therapeutic Recreation Association and in 2006 she was inducted into the Academy of Leisure Sciences. Aside from her professional work, she had a large network of friends who assisted her through her final year. Throughout her adulthood she also spent a great deal of time quilting, walking her dog, studying Buddhism and practicing meditation.

She is survived by her mother, Pauline Voelkl of Urbana, her sister Deborah Russo of Boston, her sister and brother in law, Cynthia Voelkl and Ernest Blackwelder of Champaign, and her beloved nephews Leo and Owen Blackwelder.

A Buddhist memorial service (a Sukhavati) will be held at Japan House on the University of Illinois campus at 1:00 on Saturday, February 14, 2009. A memorial service will also be held in Clemson, SC at the Clemson University Outdoor Lab Bowfin Lodge at 4:00 on Thursday, February 12, 2009.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Judi Voelkl Scholarship Fund in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University. Checks may be made out to CU Foundation and “Judi Voelkl Scholarship” written in the memo line. Mail checks to Clemson University-PRTM, 263 Lehotsky Hall, PO Box 340735, Clemson, South Carolina 29634-0735.

Judi’s spirit, passion and laugh will be sorely missed by all who loved her.

1 Comments:

Blogger Mike Sutherland said...

I had gotten to know Judy better. I met her a few times and she was absolutely delightful. She could make me laugh! She will be missed.

10:54 AM  

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