Dr. Victor P. Dauer

Dr. Victor P. Dauer&bb&&pe&Dr. Victor P. Dauer, Professor Emeritus of Washington State University, noted author and recognized expert in the field of Physical Education, passed away on September 30, 2000 of natural causes at the age of 91.&pe&Dr. Dauer was born in Hammond, Indiana on April 14, 1909, the beloved son of Theodore and Wilhellmina Dauer. He attended the University of Indiana from 1929 to 1932 where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and excelled in the intercollegiate sports of football, basketball and baseball. He received Bachelor of Science in Education there, graduating with distinction.&pe& Dr. Dauer taught and coached interscholastic sports at several municipal high schools in Indiana before being selected to the post of Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Valparaiso University, Indiana in 1941. It was at Valparaiso University that Dr. Dauer met the former Alice Lange, a women's physical education instructor there. They were married in 1941. In 1942, Dr. Dauer joined the United States Army during World War II where he served with honor, working with the rehabilitation of captured German prisoners of War in Massachusetts. Dr. Dauer was honorably discharged in 1946&pe& Dr. Dauer was appointed to the positions of Assistant Professor and Assistant Athletic Director at Springfield University in Massachusetts in 1947. At the same time he began his doctoral studies with the University of Michigan, which he eventually was awarded the degree of P.H.D. in education in 1951. In 1949 Dr Dauer was appointed to an Assistant Professor position with the Men's Physical Education Department at Washington State University where he served in a distinguished educational capacity for 25 years. He was appointed to a full professorship in 1958. At Washington State, Dr Dauer became deeply involved with studies relating to innovative advances in the elementary school health and physical education field, which culminated in the production of his first book, "Dynamic Physical Education for Elementary School Children", first published in 1965, and in current publication, now in its 13th edition. A second book, "Essential Movement Experience for Preschool and Primary Children" was published in 1972. During his tenure at Washington State University, Dr. Dauer received numerous national and international honors in the field of Physical Education including the prestigious selection as one of the Outstanding Educators in America for 1973, as well as becoming a regular lecturer at both national and international conventions and conferences for Physial Education. Dr. Dauer retired from Washington State University in 1974.&pe&During his retirement, Dr. Dauer still continued authorship and lecturing responsibilities in Physical Education while pursuing his favorite leisure time activities of fishing and boating in the San Juan Islands of Washington, as well as enjoying travel with Alice, his wife of many years. He continued to spend his leisure time split between homes in the San Juan Islands and Green Valley, Arizona, until eventually settling in Everett Washington at the Washington Oaks Retirement Center. He was a resident of Edmonds, Washington at the time of his death.&pe&During his life, Dr. Dauer was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying the activities of skiing, camping, fishing and hunting. He was also active in the Kiwanis Club and Trinity Lutheran Church of Pullman Washington. He was a distinguished member of Delta Kappa, Phi Epsilon Kappa (Blue Key) and National Collegiate Physical Association for Men. In May of 1999, Alice Dauer, Dr. Dauer's wife of 58 years, passed away in Everett, Washington. Dr. Dauer is survived by two sons, Theodore E. (Ted) Dauer, a science teacher with the Edmonds School District in Edmonds, Washington and Thomas O (Tod) Dauer, a structural engineer with the United States Coast Guard in Walnut Creek, California, as well as 4 grandchildren.&pe&Remembrances are requested to the Victor P. Dauer Professional Development Grant Fund, Department of Education, Washington State University.