Obit: Koplitz, Dr. Eugene D. (1926 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Chase, Koplitz, Koplitz-Harty, Theiler

----Source: The Owen-Withee Enterprise (Owen, WI) 9/17/2017

Koplitz, Dr. Eugene D. (30 APR 1926 - 5 SEP 2017)

Eugene D. Koplitz died September 5, 2017 in Greeley, CO. He was born April 30, 1926 in rural Withee, WI to Henry and Lillian (Chase) Koplitz.

Memorial services: First Congregational Church, Greeley, CO, Friday, September 22, 2017, 2:00 PM. Memorial gifts to TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado, or Eugene D. Koplitz Honors Foundation–awards scholarships towards Honor Students’ academic research.

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----Source: The Greely Tribune (Greeley, CO) 9/8/2017

Dr. Eugene D. Koplitz died September 5, 2017 in Greeley, Colorado. He was born April 30th, 1926 in rural Withee, Wisconsin to Henry and Lillian (Chase) Koplitz at home on the dairy farm.

Growing up on a farm, children were expected to help with necessary tasks. Every member of the family had duties; which developed a “work ethic” and “responsible behavior”. For eight years, Gene walked 2 miles to attend and graduate from the one room Oak Vale School, where his mother had taught.

Following 8th grade graduation, his education continued at Withee High School where he participated in forensics (oratory, debate, and drama), played clarinet in band, and sang tenor in
chorus. His annual competitions brought him various awards for his solos. Sports participation was frequently interrupted by farm responsibilities. He considered himself as “the most inept
member on the basketball team.” The camaraderie among team members kept his spirits up. They understood.

After graduation he took advantage of the UW-Madison correspondence courses and completed the two Composition requirements. He then joined the Wisconsin National Guard in Eau Claire including the two-week intensive summer camp at Ft. McCoy.

The following fall, farm help was available so he began at Wisconsin State College, now the UW–Eau Claire, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and teacher certification in English, History, and Speech. He accepted a contract at Barron Senior High School, Barron, Wisconsin for two years as a teacher and advisor for the junior class, taught all grade levels in oral speech and speech composition and Director of class plays. He reflected many times on the wonderful students, faculty, and parents.

Following his military stint on duty in the Wisconsin National Guard, he entered the Army. He was sent to The Artillery School of Command, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where he was trained as a Ballistic Meteorology Instructor and retained as a faculty member.

Eugene met his wife of 64 years, Peggy Theiler, in an American History course. Following their two-and-a-half year engagement, they married in Humbird, Wisconsin on June 25, 1953. They lived on base in Lawton, Oklahoma that summer and she returned to Wauwatosa, Wisconsin to fulfill her teaching contract. After two years at the Artillery School of Command, he was discharged on June 11, 1954 and enrolled in graduate level Psychology courses at the UW–Madison.

Peggy completed her Masters degree in English at UW–Madison, while Gene continued his graduate program, Peggy taught four years in Madison.

In June of 1955, Gene received a Master of Science degree in Counseling from the UW–Madison. The graduation ceremony included the honorary degree hooding of Frank Lloyd Wright. The speaker was “Cheaper by the Dozen” Elizabeth Gilbreth, famous time and motion engineer and mother in the biographical play that had been performed at Barron Senior High School with Gene as Director.

In 1955 he started his Ph. D. at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He was awarded both a doctoral teaching and research assistantship and spent three years at the Laboratory for the Intellectually Superior Students studying problem solving strategies, which later served as the focus for his doctoral dissertation. While at Wisconsin, he assisted Drs. Carl Rogers, Klausmirer, E.H. Edgerton, and John Rathney, which prepared him for his higher education faculty and administrative positions.

In August of 1958, with Ph. D. in hand, he accepted the position of Professor of Counseling and Guidance at Colorado State College, Greeley (now University of Northern Colorado). As a
tenured professor, he responded to challenges in addition to a full teaching load.

The first challenges occurred in February 1959 involving leadership with the Honors Program. As Associate Dean, he expanded the program to 19 departments. In 1960 he was selected as Director of a Summer Institute in Guidance and Counseling conducted under the National Defense Education Act.

Throughout the 1960’s he participated in the Rocky Mountain Area Small Schools Project; research funded by the Ford Foundation. Elected to the Faculty Senate, he also served as chairman. Early in his career, he was granted a sabbatical as a visiting scholar at Harvard.

Throughout his professional career, Dr. Koplitz presented research papers at international, regional, state, and local levels. His teaching responsibilities ranged from undergraduate to
graduate levels. He served as academic and research advisor to Master and Doctoral degree candidates. Former students now hold key positions in academia throughout the U.S.A. and
internationally including Taiwan, Libya, Greece, East Pakistan (Bangladesh), New Zealand, and Tazmania. He enjoyed cross-cultural teaching exchanges in California, England, and other global speaking engagements at the invitation of his former international students.

Professional memberships include the American Psychological Association, American Personnel and Guidance Association (President Division 4) and Editorial Board Member of the Journal, Colorado Education Association, Colorado Counselor Association and American Association of University Professors.

He collaborated with his graduate students and published professional papers on new psychological findings. He was the editor for the text Guidance in the Elementary School: Theory, Research and Practice which was used in guidance programs across the country.

In June 1988 he retired from the University of Northern Colorado as Professor Emeritus of Psychology. However, he continued teaching and consulting for CSAP at various United
States Air Force Bases.

Community involvement included Chancel Choir of the First Congregational Church of Greeley, University Men’s Glee Club, Chamber Orchestra Choir, Social Science Circle, Eta Phi fraternity,
Kiwanis Club, UNC Emeritus Faculty Association, and Friends of the UNC Libraries, and as an active participant, he took leadership in the development of the Greeley Retiree Academic Study
Program (GRASP), which met at the Senior Activity Center.

Devotion to family, quest of the unknown through research, worldwide travel and commitment to ideals characterized his life, along with gratification in guiding students to achieve academic
insight.

Immediate family survivors include his wife of 64 years Peggy, son David and his wife Michelle, daughter Dr. Stephanie Koplitz-Harty, and the five Harty grandchildren. Other survivors include his only niece, Sheila Koplitz, and her mother Mrs. Harold Koplitz, and his deceased brother Lester’s three sons. A daughter, Pamela, preceded him in death as well as two brothers, a sister,
and a nephew.

Memorial services will be held at the First Congregational Church in Greeley, Colorado, on Friday, September 22, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be given to TRU Hospice of
Northern Colorado, or to the Eugene D. Koplitz Honors Foundation – which awards scholarships to Honor Students to be utilized in their academic research programs.