Obituary of William R. Zeitler

William R. "Bill" Zeitler, 87, of Athens, GA, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2015. A native of East Brady, PA and a graduate of Clarion Teachers College, Bill was the son of the late Anna B. Zeitler. Bill was married to the former Mary Lou Moore on August 31, 1954 at St. Mary's Church in Crown and she survives. They were married for 60 years. Bill served as an elementary school teacher and administrator throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio for 17 years, while earning his M.Ed. from Bowling Green State University and his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. In 1966, Dr. Zeitler, Ph.D., joined the University of Georgia as Assistant Professor of Science Education, where he taught for 23 years until his retirement in 1989 as a Professor Emeritus. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Zeitler served as primary advisor to over 150 post-graduate students. He created the original Chautauqau-type short course program for UGA and served as both State and National Director; published numerous articles; and co-authored a nationally recognized textbook, Elementary School Science: A Perspective for Teachers. Dr. Zeitler's honors included membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the New York Academy of Science, and Fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Above all, Dr. Zeitler was passionate about guiding and mentoring anyone who had the desire to learn. In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his three children, Stephen Zeitler of Jackson, MS; Tina Asher and her husband, Baron of San Diego, CA, and Timothy Zeitler and his wife, Lisa of Fairfax, VA, and by his granddaughter, Cami Asher of San Diego. A memorial service will be held Monday, March 16, 10:00 a.m. at the UGA Catholic Center, 1344 Lumpkin St., Athens, GA. Bill will be remembered for his passion for science education, for his holiday cocktail parties, for his dry wit and "the look", and for his love of his wife, family and his pet dachshunds. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Red Cross or the Athens Area Humane Society.