Edward Ellis

1924 - 2023

Edward Ellis
February 9, 1924 - January 14, 2023
State College, Pennsylvania - Edward Vernal Ellis, of State College, died Saturday January 14, 2023 at his home in Harmony at State College with his family by his side. He was born on February 9,1924, in Louisburg, North Carolina to the late Clarence and Eula Neal Ellis. The family then moved to Raleigh, NC for better opportunities.
Ed lived a long and impactful life serving his country, raising a family and making a meaningful impact as an educator. He was inducted into the U.S. Navy at 18 upon graduating from high school during the Second World War from June 1943 to April 1946. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist Mate Second Class stationed in Kahului, Hawaii with the U.S. Navy Medical Corp in support of Navy and Marine servicemen.
He returned to Raleigh and immediately began his undergraduate studies and graduated from Shaw University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology in 1949. He then completed a Masters of Science degree in Public Health from North Carolina Central University in 1950. Member Omega Psi Phi fraternity. After getting married in 1950 and starting a family Ed completed his Ph.D at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Public Health in 1964. Ed was the second African American to earn a doctorate from the School of Public Health along with his classmate, colleague and life long friend William Darity.
Ed was recruited to Penn State University from the University of Minnesota in 1969 by Dean Donald Ford to assist in the growth and development of a new academic College. Ed held dual titles of associate professor of public health and associate dean for continuing education in the College of Human Development (now known as the College of Health and Human Development). Prior to his time in Minnesota, he held positions as a consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and Director of Community Education Programs in Washington, D.C., North Carolina College, and the Wake County Health Department in Raleigh, N.C. He served as a fellow of the American Public Health Association and served as chair of the association's Committee on Prejudice in Delivery of Health Care Service.
Penn State President John W. Oswald appointed Ellis to serve as Special Faculty Assistant in the office of the president in July 1970. He advised President Oswald on recruitment and retention of faculty of color, and the employment of minorities in technical and administrative areas, student admissions and support for educational opportunities for students of color.
Among his many achievements and awards, Ed was named acting director of the division of biological health in the College of Human Development (1972), chosen as Outstanding Educator of America(1973). In 1979, he was elected to a three-year term on the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools. By 1981, Ed had become Associate Dean for Public Health and Commonwealth Campuses. American Public Health Association(Fellow) 1991. Ed completed his career as Vice President Academic Affairs, University of Maryland Eastern Shore 1983-94 where he retired as Professor Emeritus. He spent his time in retirement consulting, a little golf and service to his First Baptist Church family.
Ed was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth Gill Ellis after 55 years of marriage, a daughter Ednetta Ellis who he cared for diligently during her 20 plus year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, brothers Herbert Ellis and Alphonso Ellis and sister Cochise Ellis.
He is survived by two children and three grandchildren , Bruce Ellis and his wife Debra (Sheaffer) and their son Keaton; Gary Ellis and his wife Cynthia (Desmond) and their children Desmond and Veronica. He is also survived by sister in law Alice Hopkins-Ellis,niece Donna Ellis, niece Delores Manigault, great niece Andrea Manigault and great-great niece Maya Adelakun, as well as his friend of more than 10 years Delores Revis.
The Ellis family would like to thank the staff and residents of Harmony at State College,PA and the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care in Boalsburg,PA for their kindness and care. A memorial service for family and friends to celebrate a wonderful life will be held 11:00 am Saturday March 25, 2023 at First Baptist Church, Raleigh NC. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to First Baptist Church, 101 South Wilmington Street Raleigh, NC 27601.