Doris Regina Eikenbery

May 15, 1919- October 31, 2010 Doris Regina Eikenbery - born May 15, 1919 - died Oct 31, 2010 at age 91. She was born in Eureka where she lived most of her life. She is the daughter of Gunnar Trygve and Selma Mae Gundersen. Doris was a student at Humboldt State College from 1937-1941. She said going to Humboldt was the most exciting thing that ever happened to her. She met students and professors from all over, and made friends that lasted a lifetime. She was granted a music scholarship her first year in college. It was the first of its kind offered to a string student and gave her the opportunity to study with Edmund V. Jeffers which she considered a privilege. She played in the "Little Symphony Orchestra," sang in the a cappella choir, and joined the honorary music society, Mu Epsilon Psi. In her sophomore year she was elected president of Mu Epsilon and Student Body Secretary. Dr. Homer Balabanis was Vice President of the college then, and she described him as a warm and brilliant man. She started playing in the symphony when she was 12-years-old, and in those days it only had about 30 members. After graduating from HSC in 1941 with a BA in Music and Education, she continued playing violin with the symphony and in a variety of chamber groups for over 35 years. Doris was Valedictorian for her class, and the first to graduate from HSC as a music major. She also sang with Arcata Community Chorale and was a member of the Presbyterian Church Choir. Doris returned to Humboldt 20 years after her graduation to earn her Master's degree, and also did graduate work at San Jose State University, University of Hawaii, USC, and UCLA. Doris was employed as an elementary teacher for over 25 years, including Lincoln, Marshall, & Jefferson schools, and nearly 10 years supervising music and art at College Elementary School (C.E.S.) on Humboldt State campus, a laboratory school used to train teachers. In 1941 she accepted her first teaching position in El Monte (So. Cal). In later years and prior to returning to Eureka near the end of her career, she served as Music Specialist for the City & County of Santa Barbara where she was in charge of 12 elementary schools. Doris traveled to Norway, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Hawaii, England, France, Greece, and Yugoslavia. She loved traveling and took several trips with the Humboldt State choir under the leadership of Lee Barlow. She is survived by her loving brother George Gunderson & daughters Margaret (Meg) Grotting, and Diane Weston. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Gene Adams, and grandson Matthew Grotting. She leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Michelle Taylor, Charlene Shelzi, Malena Clegg, Curtis Grotting, Chrissy Grotting, and Marci Harmon. She also leaves behind many nieces & nephews, 10 great grandchildren, extended family, & good friends. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, November 13 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Eureka. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Fulkerson Family String Instrument Scholarship, Humboldt State University, Gift Processing Center, 1 Harpst St., Arcata, CA 95521. Please include on the memo line of the check "In memory of Doris Eikenbery for the Fulkerson Family Scholarship." Arrangements are under the care of Sanders Funeral Home, Eureka. Please sign the online guest book at www.times-standard.com click on obits.