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DONALD I. EIDEMILLER

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Indiana University Northwestern University San Diego State University

DONALD EIDEMILLER Obituary

EIDEMILLER, DONALD I. Donald Irwin Eidemiller (Don) passed away Monday, February 4, 2013 with his wife Roberta at his side. He was born September 1920 in Longmont, CO to Florence and Irwin Eidemiller. He graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in 1938 and San Diego State College in 1943. Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School at Northwestern University in Chicago in 1943 he was assigned to Amphibious Forces-Atlantic. Don was in the first wave on Utah Beach, Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). After his European duty he was reassigned to the Pacific (Hawaii) to Carrier Division 24, known as "Operation Magic Carpet," with the specific task of moving eligible dischargees from the Pacific back home to the United States. In late December 1945 Don returned to San Diego where he was discharged from active duty, but remained in the Naval Reserve until retirement in 1978 as Captain, USN-R. Don earned a master's degree in physical geography from the University of California, Berkeley in May 1949 and later that year accepted the position of assistant professor at Texas A & M. In May 1956 he earned a PhD from Indiana University in climatology and in September 1956 joined the faculty at San Diego State College and taught physical geography, meteorology and climatology. He established the SDSU weather station, which at the time was one of a very few at academic institutions and was second only to the regional weather station at Lindberg Field. He was selected for outstanding faculty contributions to the university in 1982 and retired as Emeritus Professor in June 1983. In retirement Don enjoyed world-wide travels, sailing his boat, the Auggie II, serving on the College Area Community Council, visiting family and friends, reading and watching football. Don was a member of Omega Xi, Sigma Xi, the American Meteorological Society, the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers and was a charter member of the National World War II Museum. Don was preceded in death by his sisters, Madelyn Marshall and Margaret Neeley, and granddaughter, Megan Glanville. He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Roberta; daughters Marilyn Skelley (Jim) and Kathleen Glanville; son Robert; grandchildren Nicholas, Paige, Cole, and Laurel; great-grandson Max; brother-in-law Robert Billings (Jacqueline), and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on February 26, 2013 at Mission San Diego de Alcalá at 2:00 p.m. Private interment with full military honors will occur at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Nazareth School Building Fund in memory of Donald Eidemiller, 10728 San Diego Mission Road, San Diego, CA 92108.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Feb. 21, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for DONALD EIDEMILLER

18 Entries

Robert Wilcox

September 14, 2024

I miss the backyard BBQs and always will.

Janet Atha

September 28, 2023

My favorite professor ever! A huge personality who made learning fun.

Sandi Buehner

March 7, 2013

Dear Eidemiller family,
I cannot express my sorrow and sympathy in the right words to do you and Don justice. I have been out of touch for many years, yet still hold both Don and Roberta fondly in my memories as two of the nicest and most caring individuals in our community. Don will be sorely missed and my love and thoughts go with you, Roberta. I love you both.

Paula Mulford

March 3, 2013

Dear Eidemiller family,
What a beautiful summary of the life of a remarkable man! Thank you Marilyn for taking the time to call me and tell me of your father's passing. I look forward to hearing about his celebration of life service when you return to San Diego. With love, Paula

February 28, 2013

I just heard and to Roberta and family, I offer my most sincere condolences. After all, I have a world of memories and memories of persons mentioned in the Guest Book. Don and I grew in Normal heights near the earlier San Diego State. He was paper boy for us. and I have kept aware of him right up to a Recent Super Bowl Party with him as bartender! Oh what memories! Perhaps I should mention that Don was almost three years younger than me and his last day on earth was one of my five spent in Grossmont Hospital.. I am regaining my strength after a lung problem - a daytime caregiver is a big welcome change in my life, previously spent alone here. I will be in Nich CBI844 so we will have many years to come near each other. My sympathy to all and WHAT MEMORIES! Andy Olson

Bob Richardson

February 25, 2013

I learned last night that Don had died—Harvey Vogel emailed me. My dad, Robert W. Richardson, taught Geography at State (in Harvey's photo, he's seated between Harvey and Jim Taylor, three to the right of Don), so I knew Don from long ago. I did my freshman year at State ('61-'62) and took Physical Geography from Harvey my first semester. I spent countless hours in his office, shared by Don, taking up too much of his time with foolish things such as fretting about my girlfriend (and future bride) who'd gone to the University of Chicago, and reciting 2000 Year Old Man routines. Don patiently put up with us. My second semester I took Don's meteorology course, which actually was called Weather. Don had an outline map of western North America painted on the chalk board, on which he'd draw the current weather map before the start of each class. That course served me well (I got an A) when I took a meteorology class at Wisconsin (I transferred as a sophomore, majoring in Geography) and after I started teaching Geography (first at Northridge, then at Sacramento State). I still have the textbook: Introduction to Meteorology, by Sverre Petterssen.

Don's Navy connections were beneficial to the Geography Department in several ways. First of all, back before the CSU system created the “charge-back” system, getting work done by Facilities could take a long time because you didn't have to pay, just wait. This would be for things such as modifying a classroom. At San Diego State most of the Facilities people were retired Navy and Don was able to get work done almost immediately. He also had access to classified facilities—I remember going with him and a dozen or so others, including Bill Finch, in 1962 to see fascinating examples of high-altitude reconnaissance photography at the Naval Air Station. He also had access to the Admiral Kidd Club, the scene of many Geography gatherings, including the surprise retirement party for my dad in 1972.

Starting back in the early 60's, or maybe even late 50's, Don had VW Microbusses, the top of the line model with the row of skinny windows down each side of the roof edge. The VW bus seemed to be exactly right for his personality. His was always immaculately clean and shipshape, and moved at a nautical pace. He bought a new one every year. Other vivid memories of Don include his trademark Navy buzz-cut and cigar. I'm dismayed to realize I have no photos of Don, although if I took some time I might find some in my folks' collection, but I do have a bit of Super-8 movie footage from 1968 taken at Ruth and Les Skolil's cabin (Les taught Physics at State) in the Big Horns showing Don running through the meadow in front of their cabin dragging a giant rectangular net, catching grasshoppers for fishing. After running until a breather was required (elevation about 7500') the net's contents were dumped into a large galvanized tub filled with water and the grasshoppers picked out from among the other wildlife. I'm pretty sure Don had a cigar in his mouth the whole time.

The obituary on this site doesn't mention that Don played football for the Aztecs, which I know because of a famous story. He staggered off the field after a play, his head bent over and his hand held up to one eye. Once on the sidelines it was revealed that his eye had come out of its socket.. Gruesome as it sounds, evidently no serious harm resulted—the eye was reinserted and all was well. I don't know if he returned to the game—probably not. I don't know if Roberta witnessed this, but I think she was a cheerleader. I might have these things mixed up.

Beginning in the summer of 1966 Don became known by us as “Mr. Hi Hi” because he'd always say “Hi Hi” to our son Ian when he was a toddler. I don't think Ian to this day knew he had another name.

My dissertation was on a climate topic having to do with Santa Anas—their effect on temperatures, not the wind aspect. I realized too late that in the introductory remarks I failed to give Don credit for a key idea. He told me that the raw atmospheric pressure difference (i.e., not adjusted for elevation) between Las Vegas and San Diego was used to forecast Santa Anas. Being higher, the pressure at Las Vegas was always lower than at San Diego, but if the difference was less than 0.15” (mercury barometer) it was likely a Santa Ana condition. I used this distinction for a major part of my dissertation. I thanked all sorts of other people for their help, but just forgot to mention Don's critical contribution. I'll say it now: THANKS DON!

I last saw Don (and Roberta) in 2007 at the service for George Ziegenfuss (basketball coach at State and father of my best friend growing up). It's hard to accept that I won't see him again, but he remains vivid in my mind. He was a wonderful man.

SDSU geography dept. 1962 don seated far left. i'm seated 2nd from right.

harvey vogel

February 24, 2013

Don, i can't believe you're gone. we spent three years (1960-63) as office mates and they are as vivid as if it was yesterday. our NSF field trips in the summer were much fun. my sincerest condolences to Roberta and the family. i miss you.

Judy McCarty

February 23, 2013

Don contributed much to the collage area community as he did the university. It was my privilege to work with him on the CACC.
Judy McCarty, former City Councilmember

Sue Pitts (in those days)

February 22, 2013

Sympathetic thoughts to the family of one of my favorite teachers at S.D. State College in the late 50's. Glad to read he traveled the world.

Ben Small

February 21, 2013

Dr Eidemiller was the heart and soul of the SDSU Department of Geography during my time as an Under Graduate at SDSU. He instilled in me a love for Meterology that remains to this day. I am a better person for knowing him. My thoughts are with his family.

Mickey Suozzo

February 21, 2013

The obituary did a great job of capturing Don -- and that photo really makes me smile. I can almost imagine Don is going to start speaking to me... Don (along with Roberta, Marilyn, Kathy, and Robb) have been important pieces of my life since the early 1960s, and I treasure the many vivid memories of great times shared. Don will be missed on many levels.

Monte Marshall

February 21, 2013

I took Don's meteorology class in about 1965 and learned a lot. The best thing Don did for me was to introduce me to the late Baylor Brooks, who was chair of the geology department at the time. Baylor attracted me from physics into geology--and ten years later I was a fellow professor with Don at SDSU, but in the geology department! :>)
Thanks, Uncle Donald, for this!

Susan Raymond

February 21, 2013

He was a real gentleman. Come to think of it he was a real scholar also. Rest In Peace Bump. You will be missed.

David Raymond

February 21, 2013

I had the privilege of knowing "Don" for several years. I admired him greatly. He was more a "listener" than a "talker" and he'll be greatly missed.

February 21, 2013

Dr. Eidemiller was one of my first professors at SDSU in 1959. I was a freshman, shy and had not a clue as to his field of expertise. I camped out by his door at office hours! He got so when he was explaining a difficult concept, he would look at me seeing if I understood! I still have no idea what he was trying to teach, but as afuture teacher (45 years) he taught me to teach the student, not the subject. I am forever greatful. Bless your family. MaryAnn (the timid Miss Shank = according to him) Norton

Daivd Ming

February 21, 2013

I took Dr. Eidemiller's meterology class at SDSU in the late 60's. His lessons were significant when I took up aviation. I am sorry for his passing.

Kathy Small Baker

February 21, 2013

May Dr. Eidemiller rest in peace. He was my ex-husband's inspiration at SDSU. A fantastic geography professor! My thoughts and prayers to his family.

Chip Brent

February 21, 2013

Prof Eidemiller was a contributing influence in my love and eventual declaration of Geography as my major studies @ SDSU in the '70's. Always a charming smile and witty word. The world needs more like him. Blessing to the family.

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