ELDRED "BOB" BOVENIZER

Eldred R. Bovenizer, PhD, of St. Clairsville, died on July 12, 2019 at Park Health Center in St. Clairsville.

The first administrator of Ohio University's Eastern (OUE, formerly Belmont County) Campus, Eldred (known as "Bob" and "Dr. B"), was born in 1928 to the late Leland and Bertha Bovenizer of Jacobsburg, OH.  Bob's beloved wife of 69 years, Marjory M. Bovenizer, his sister Eleanor (Bob) Gillespie and nephew Greg (Ann) Kemp, both of Belmont, and two infant brothers preceded him in death.

Surviving Bob are:  two daughters, Elaine (Scott) Wilson of suburban Cincinnati and Joan (Nick) Precilio of suburban Chicago; three grandchildren, Keith (Kelly) Wilson and Megan Wilson (Rob) Brown of suburban Cincinnati, and Neil Precilio of Chicago; six great-grandchildren, Macayla, Olivia, Sophie, and Maddox Wilson and Robby and Mesfin Brown; siblings Rosalene (the late Hilles) Kemp of Belmont and Ronald (Judy) Bovenizer of Lake Worth, FL; niece Rosemarie (Bruce) Mehl of Belmont, and 3 nieces in SE Florida, Melanie (Nick) Kroger, Erika (Jurek) Grodzki, and Natalie (Tyler) Cromwell, 15 great nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.

An alumnus of Smith Township schools, Bob became known as one of the fathers of higher education in Eastern Ohio, passionately serving as an educator in Belmont County for 46 years.  He began his career in 1950 as a chemistry teacher at Bellaire High School.  He also served as School Psychologist and Director of Counseling and Testing for the Bellaire and Martins Ferry City Schools.  In 1957 in Martins Ferry, he became the first academic administrator of Ohio University programs in Belmont County.  Bob moved to Athens in 1961 to work as Assistant Dean at OU, helping develop 6 OU branch campuses and higher education programs at several USA Strategic Air Command bases.

In 1965 Bob returned to Belmont County to oversee staffing and equipping of Ohio University's Wilson Shannon Hall during its construction west of St. Clairsville.  He became the first Director (later named Dean) of the campus, recruited its initial faculty, and facilitated its academic program development, including the launch of Weekend College in 1979.  His research in Worker Functions led to his doctoral degree in 1968 following graduate studies at Ohio University and the University of Pittsburgh.  He retired in 1982 as Dean Emeritus of OUE where he then assumed the Assistant Professor role until 1996, teaching Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Human Relations.

Bob celebrated education and OUE's role in providing programs to advance Eastern Ohio citizens' career opportunities.  During his years at OUE, Bob worked with many leaders in education, government, business, and industry to increase OUE's value to its students.  Bob also championed restoration of the Great Western School, development of the arboretum, and procurement of the covered bridge -- all on OUE property.  He was a recipient of the Liberty Bell Award by the Belmont County Bar Association and the Austin C. Furbee Outstanding Alumnus Award, among various professional honors and commendations.  He also established the Dr. E.R. and Marjory Bovenizer OUE Student Scholarship fund.

As a loyal member of Thoburn United Methodist Church in St. C. for over 50 years, Bob served on Bishop Thomas' Research Council and local committees and taught an adult Sunday School class.  For over 40 years Bob greatly enjoyed his membership in the St. Clairsville Rotary Club which he served as a past president.  He was also a District 6690 representative of Rotary International, a member of Rotary Foundation's District Higher Education Scholarship Committee, and a member of the Belmont County Retired Teachers Association.

Prior to Bob's civilian years, he served in the US Army just after WWII, working in the Philippine Islands in the Recovered Personnel Division, focused on Philippine Scout services to the US Army.  Bob was also an American Legion member.

Visitation will be held at Thoburn United Methodist Church, 209 E. Main St. (PO Box 4) in St. Clairsville 43950, on Friday from 2 – 4 & 6 - 8 pm and again from 10 am until time of memorial service at 11 am on Saturday.  Full military honors will be conducted by the Belmont County Veterans Association.  Arrangements are entrusted to Toothman Funeral Home in St. Clairsville.

In lieu of flowers, Bob's family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to the Dr. E.R. and Marjory Bovenizer Student Scholarship at Ohio University Eastern, c/o Scholarship Committee, 45425 National Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 or to Thoburn United Methodist Church (address above).  Condolences may be shared via the obituary link at www.toothmanfuneralhome.com.