Paul Rodger Errington

1937 - 2016

Paul Rodger Errington, 79

MUNCIE - Paul Rodger Errington, 79, of Muncie, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2016 at his residence in Muncie, from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Paul was born November 3, 1937 in Whipple WV, and raised in the coal-mining town of Scarbro, WV, to the late Ann and Bill Errington.

He studied electrical engineering and then earned a Ph.D. in physics from West Virginia University. He taught physics at Bethany College, where his guitar playing and red convertible Sunbeam Alpine charmed fellow teacher, Sue Frederich. They married, then taught in Peru, South America for a year before settling in Muncie, where Paul joined the Ball State University physics department, earning many teaching awards during his thirty-four-year career.

Paul also gave back to his community in countless ways. He played trumpet in the Alexandria Community Band, mentored in a robotics club for Muncie and Delaware County high school students, and worked with Homesavers (formerly Rebuilding Together), a nonprofit group that rehabilitates homes for low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities.

When he wasn't teaching or volunteering, you could find Paul playing his guitar or running marathons and half-marathons. A particular passion was backpacking. Paul scaled some of the tallest peaks in the US, and had stood atop the highest point in over thirty different states. Paul loved nothing more than tinkering in his garage, making and repairing all kinds of crafts and electronics for his family, friends and colleagues. He even built his own replica 1929 Mercedes Gazelle, which he drove in local parades. Family and friends enjoyed the beauty of his goldfish pond, and his vegetable and flower gardens. At the end of the day, Paul loved to relax in his chair in front of the fire, watching the Syfy channel and MSNBC, drinking a glass of homemade iced tea and with one of the family cats sitting on his lap.

Paul is survived by his wife of almost fifty years, Sue Errington; two daughters, Sara Beth Errington (Mark Trodden) of Syracuse, NY and Amy Ellen Oversmith (Jason) of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Adelaide and Tyler Oversmith of Raleigh, NC; sisters, Margaret Callaghan (Dan) of Summersville, WV and Elsie Holl (Ron) of North East, PA.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Muncie, 4800 W. Bradford Dr., Muncie IN 47304.

Memorials may be made in his name to Rock Steady Boxing (https://rocksteadyboxing.org/donate/), Ball State University Foundation or West Virginia University Foundation.

The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.