Joan Gritzmacher

GRITZMACHER

Joan E. Gritzmacher, PhD passed away peacefully at The Ohio State Ross Heart hospital on Monday. Preceded in death by her parents, Ewald and Josephine Gritzmacher. She was born in Linden, New Jersey and is survived by her sister, Nancy Wreggit (John) their sons David (Annette), Steven (Katrina), their two sons Nathan and Brandon. Joan is a respected colleague, a professional, a mentor to her students, and a good friend to all who reached for her hand in help. Her sense of humor never ceased, even in times of stress. She never asked more of anyone than she was willing to give of herself. She was an avid reader. She excelled at editing, loved football and on game day was known to shout out GO BUCKS ‘I’ -‘O’. She earned her B.S with honors from Douglass College, Rutgers University and her M.S and Ph.D. from Cornell University. She taught secondary school in New Jersey and higher education at Purdue University, Cornell University, New Mexico State University and retired as Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University. Joan held many leadership positions during her professional career; among them serving as president and president pro-tem of the Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, the National Association of Family and Consumer Science Teacher Educators, the Franklin County Family and Consumer Sciences Association, and the Ohio State University Association of faculty and Professional Women. Joan was a member of the American and Ohio Associations of Family and ConsumerSciences. She served on many college, university, local, state and national committees. She was particularly well known for her work with graduates students and was actively involved in research, publications and presentations. She was a member of the honor societies: Omicron Kappa Nu, Phi Upsilon Omicron Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Lambda Theta She received the following awards; named to the Honor Roll of the family and Consumer Sciences Division of the American Vocational Association, twice the recipient of the Ohio State University Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award An award presented only once in seven years. Outstanding Leader Award from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Distinguished Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Educator Researcher Award, College of Human Ecology Faculty Award and held a life long belief in God held a strong commitment in the well-being of humankind. She made contributions to charities: organizations, scholarships and program support for educational purposes. She’d love her legacy continued in the hearts and minds of all who appreciate philanthropy. Friends may call at the MORELAND FUNERAL HOME 55 East Schrock Rd., Westerville Friday from 2-4 p.m.. Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel at Union Cemetery. Dr. David Hogg officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions may be to the Ohio Association on Family and Consumer Sciences scholarship Fund, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1295 or the Ohio Diabetes Association in her memory.