John R. "Bud" Eiler

John R. "Bud" Eiler, 93, of Saylorsburg, a long-time educator and coach, died on Thursday, Aug. 17, in Stroud Manor, East Stroudsburg. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth B. "Betty" Kitchen Eiler.

Born in Schuylkill Haven, he was a son of the late Harry and Annie Seifert Eiler.

A graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers College, he was voted the best all-around athlete in his college class in 1934.

From 1934 to 1936, he was the physical director of the Nazareth YMCA. From 1936 to 1942, he was supervisor and teacher of health and physical education in the East Mauch Chunk public schools. From 1946 to 1956, he was a professor of health and physical education at Slippery Rock State College, and then from 1956 to 1978 he was a professor of health and physical education at East Stroudsburg State College. He was the director of athletics at ESSC from 1960 to 1978. He was the recipient of the Professional Honor Award from the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1958 and the Elmer B. Cottrell Award in 1969. He received the Outstanding Teacher Award at Slippery Rock State College in 1956 and also at ESSC in 1981. He received the Alumni Honor Award from ESSC in 1974 and was named to Who's Who in the East in 1957.

He started his coaching career in the East Mauch Chunk public schools, where he coached basketball, gymnastics and soccer. From 1946 to 1956 he coached soccer, gymnastics and track at Slippery Rock. He coached soccer at ESSC from 1956 to 1965; his soccer record from 1946 to 1964 was 150 wins, 41 losses and 6 ties. In his career, he coached five undefeated teams during regular season play, and he coached six All-American players. His 1962 team won the NAIA National Championship, and his 1964 and 1965 teams reached the NCAA Quarter Finals. He was the recipient of the National Soccer Coaches Association Honor Award in 1965. On Jan. 14, 1994, he was inducted into the National Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1977 the East Stroudsburg State College Football Stadium was named the Eiler-Martin Stadium. In 1983 he received the James Lynah Memorial Award from the Eastern College Athletic Conference. He was a pioneer in popularizing soccer in the South through soccer clinics in Florida. From 1961 to 1964, he was a representative for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America to the Wheaties Sports Federation. He presented papers and lectured on soccer at the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation national conferences in Washington, D.C., and Dallas, Texas.

He was a consultant on sports skills tests in soccer for the American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and was a contributing author first edition, 1943 and served on the revision committee 1950 for the "Soccer" text published by the U.S. Naval Institute. He authored numerous articles appearing in state and national journals. He was a contributing author for the U.S. Institute text "Swimming." From 1937 to 1977, he was a faculty member and instructor trainer at the National Aquatic Schools operated by the American Red Cross. He was a manuscript reader on soccer for Prentice Hall Publishers. He was guest speaker at many civic affairs.

He was a lieutenant in the United States Naval Aviation Division of the Hamilton Program from 1942 to 1944, and as a lieutenant commander he served as director of athletics and physical fitness for the U.S. Navy air station in Miami, Fla., from 1944 to 1946. He conducted soccer clinics for the U.S. armed forces in Europe in 1957, and he was selected as a specialist by the Adjutant General's Office of the United States Army.

He maintained memberships in the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Dance; the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education and Recreation; the Phi Epsilon Kappa national organization; the National Education Association; and the National Soccer Coaches Association. He was a member of Gov. George Leader's statewide Council on Physical Fitness.

He was a past member of the Lion's Club and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, where he served as an officer for three years and on the scholarship committee for 15 years. He was also a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge in Grove City, the Lehigh Consistory and the Irem Temple Shrine. He served on the board of directors of the Monroe County YMCA.

He was president of the Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation 1960, president of the National Soccer Coaches Association 1957, president of the Intercollegiate Soccer Football Association 1962 to 1965, president of the Pennsylvania State Colleges Athletic Conference 1967 to 1969, member of the Professional Relations Committee of the NCAA, member of the Eligibility Committee of the ECAC and NCAA, member of the Council for the NCAA 1975 to 1977, vice president at large of the NCAA 1975 to 1977, member of the Joint Committee of the NCAA and Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Committee 1976 to 1977 and a member of the NCAA committee on Women's Intercollegiate Athletics 1976 to 1977.

He is survived by three nephews, George Kitchen and his wife, Linda, of Saylorsburg, Nicholas LaScala and his wife, Suzanne, of Schuylkill Haven and Anthony LaScala and his wife, Toni, of Coaldale; and three nieces, Joan Sterner of Schuylkill Haven, Anna Klahr and her husband, Richard, of Schuylkill Haven and Ruth Tucci of Pottsville.

A viewing will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday, Aug. 21, in the Lighthouse at Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church, Hamilton Square. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Ralph Boyer IV officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Saylorsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the ESU Foundation for the benefit of the Athletic Department, ESU, University Advancement Office, 200 Prospect St., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.