Paul Bixby Obituary

Paul Warren Bixby December 22, 1913 - December 14, 2012 Paul Warren Bixby, 98, of State College, passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at Foxdale Village, one week shy of his 99th birthday. Born Dec. 22, 1913, in Richville, Otter Tail County, Minn., he was the oldest of five children of the late John Loren and Cora Epler Davis Bixby. On June 1, 1935, he married Ruth Jane Lowry, of Fergus Falls, Minn., who died May 8, 1988. In 1988, Paul married Mae Smith who died in 2000. He is survived by three children, Jeansylvia Anderson, of Blossburg, Mark P. Bixby and his wife, Angela, of Wellsboro, Mary J. Kisner and her husband, Bert, of Boalsburg; two sisters, Janice Vance, of St. Paul, Minn., June Emmert, of Rockville, Md.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Paul earned three formal degrees in the field of education: a B.Ed. from Minnesota State College, St. Cloud, Minn., in 1937; a M.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1941; and a Ed.D. from Columbia University Teachers College in 1943. He was a rural school teacher in Otter Tail County, Minn., from 1932 to 1935; a junior high school teacher in St. Cloud, Minn., from 1937-1941; and assistant principal of Horace Mann Elementary School in New York City, from 1942-1943. He was a principal of elementary schools in Greenwich, Conn., and in Millburn, N.J., from 1943-1947. He and his family moved to State College in 1947. At Penn State's College of Education, Paul served in many positions including a Professor, Department Head, Assistant and Associate Dean and Coordinator of International Programs. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 1979. His special assignments for Penn State included Visiting Professor at the University of the Philippines with joint sponsorship with Stanford University and the Agency for International Development (AID) in 1955-1956. He managed the U.S. training for Peace Corps groups headed for service in the Philippines in 1961-1962. In 1966 he served as an in-service consultant to the Teachers Colleges of the Philippines and interviewed Peace Corps Volunteers in the field for graduate scholarships in the U.S. Universities after their service in Malaysia, Nepal, India, Iran, Turkey and Central America. In 1979-1980, he served as Visiting Scholar at Silliman University, Philippines. Over the years Paul has been a member of the State College Presbyterian Church, a participant in the International Hospitality Council, delivered Meals on Wheels, served as a board member for the United Campus Ministry and a member of Rotary. A memorial service will be held at a later date in early January 2013 at the Foxdale Village Auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College. Burial will be at Centre County Memorial Park at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foxdale Village at http://foxdalevillage.org/giving/contribute.html or 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, PA 16801, in memory of Paul Bixby. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.

Published by Centre Daily Times on Dec. 16, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Paul was a mentor, an inspiration and a big part of my working life at PSU. He became a valued friend and was always interesting to talk to. I brought my mother to visit him in Foxdale and exchanged cards until this year. I learned many life lessons from him. Just before he went, I asked friends to look in on him and they did, reporting his good spirits even near the end. A valued and wonderful life. Kirstin Moritz

January 18, 2013

Dear Mary,
your Dad was very special to me and will always remain dear and present in my memory with his kind smile and the twinkle in his eyes. I feel richer for having known him, and would love to have access to his writings if they are ever made public. With our deepest condolences,
Tannaz, Syedur, and Nilu Rahman

Tannaz Rahman

December 22, 2012

Paul Bixby was a great human being, and a very good Foxdale friend to my parents Don and Peg Sherman.

Lawrence Sherman

December 22, 2012

All our warmest thought and prayers to Mark and Angela and the rest of the family, My heart and love go out to all of you for you're loss this time of year. May god bless you all.

Karen Shive

December 21, 2012

Paul was a unique and wonderful influence in our lives. We will miss him and send our sympathy to the Bixby family.

Keith and Suzanne Hillkirk

December 21, 2012

The Bixby family is in our prayers.
The Children of Floyd and Darlene Estlick

Abby Bizzett Johnson

December 20, 2012

To the family,
You all are in my prayers to have comfort and peace. Paul was a brilliant man with such a kindness to everyone. He made this world a better place especially through education. He was a good friend of my father's. They shared a special camaraderie. I will miss him dearly as we all will yet what an honor to have known such a wonderful man.

Cynthia Harrison McFadden

December 17, 2012

May memories of the long life he shared with you comfort you in the time ahead.

Irene & Chuck Mong

December 17, 2012

to the Bixby family~ i am so sorry for your loss.

CONNIE SAMPSON

December 17, 2012

Mary you have my deepest sympathy on the passing of your Father. You and your family are in my prayers. He sounds like he was a wonderful man to all who knew him and as a very gifted scholar.

Gail Francisko

December 17, 2012

Uncle Mark, We are so very sorry for the loss of your father. I remember meeting him many years ago, and I was left with a remarkable impression. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Valerie, Jim & girls

December 17, 2012

Upon first learning that Paul had passed away it first seemed that a great light had gone out. However, his light will continue to shine in us and at Foxdale thanks to the many important lessons he so gently and graciously taught us. May knowing what a difference he made, and will continue to make, in the lives of so many people bring you some comfort during this difficult time. With sympathy.

Sophie Penney

December 17, 2012

The Brewers share in the loss of Paul.
In early 1960, when our dad came to be interviewed to be Chair of the Department of Elementary Education, there was a major snow storm. Paul, then Associate Dean of the College, stood on the bumper of the car in order to provide sufficient traction so that the car could make it up Tussey Mountain and get Dad and Mom back to the airport so they could get home. He and Ruth were great friends of our folks. God bless and Keep him.
C. Madison "Brick" Brewer

December 17, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all members of Paul's family. He was a blessing to anyone who knew him. A great man who served mankind.

Keith and Pam Druftnuer

December 17, 2012

Dear Mark, Jean and Mary, we just want to add one more thing about your Dad, he raised three great kids. Love, Janet & Henry Napier.

December 17, 2012

Mark, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. We will always remember him and his jovial wit in answering a question with another question. Our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Janet and Henry.

December 16, 2012

Condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Bixby Family. Paul was quite a man. I am honored to have known him.

Saprina Harter

December 16, 2012

Mark. I am so sorry for your families loss...your Dad was a remarkable man and lead such an incredible life...may your memories comfort you now and always...Barbara Losefsky

December 16, 2012

Mark,
I am so sorry to hear of your Father's passing. I remember him well in the "good old" College Heights days. Blessing to you and yours. Jody Frear Falk

December 16, 2012

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