In Memory of
Dr. Donald James Ludwig Sr
APRIL 25, 1914—JUNE 12, 2009
Donald James Ludwig, 95, Indiana University Professor Emeritus in the school of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, died peacefully at his home on Friday, June 12. Born April 25, 1914 at Longview (family farm) in Amherst, Ohio, he was the younger of two sons of John Henry and Armina Baumhardt Ludwig. He graduated from Amherst High School as the Salutatorian of the Class of 1931. He was a member of the football, baseball and track teams and the yearbook staff. He attended Oberlin College, lettering in football and baseball, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1935. In 1939, he enrolled in Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education in 1941. During this time he also was Sportsmaster at the Boys Choir School of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City.
He returned to his hometown in 1941 as a mathematics and physical education teacher at Amherst High School. He also served as athletic director and head football coach. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in June of 1942, he served in Australia and the Philippines as Sergeant Major in the 49th Air Depot Group. Discharged in January 1946 as one of the last Army personnel to leave the Philippines, he then returned to teaching at Amherst High School. Shortly thereafter, he met Lois Summer, a first year high school teacher from Tiffin, Ohio. They were married June 13, 1948.
In 1949, he enrolled in the doctoral program of the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at Indiana University-Bloomington. With stints as a graduate assistant and associate instructor, he completed his Doctor of Health and Safety Education (HSD) degree in 1953. He was appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Health and Safety Education (now Applied Health Science) after receiving his Doctorate Degree. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1959 and Professor in 1966. He was appointed the third chairman of the Health and Safety Department in 1970 and served as Chair until his 65th birthday in 1979, when the university policy required him to give up the position. He continued to teach for five more years and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1984. With I.U.’s School of HPER having been founded in 1946, he is widely recognized as being instrumental to its continuing development.
In addition to his regular duties at the Bloomington Campus, he taught graduate courses through I.U.’s Extension Service in Gary, South Bend, Indianapolis, Richmond, Jeffersonville and Evansville. He was the recipient of the Standard Oil Outstanding Teacher Award at the I.U. Founder’s Day ceremonies in 1969.
Dr. Ludwig chaired 90 doctoral dissertation committees and served as a member of 160 others, which according to Eta Sigma Gamma, gave him the distinction at the time of his retirement of being Academic advisor to more leaders in the field of Health Education than any other person in the country. Respected for his practical, down-to-earth approach to teaching mixed with a bit of humor, he welcomed students needing academic counsel by maintaining an “open door” policy.
Dr. Ludwig always credited his military service, which made him eligible to receive benefits from the G.I. Bill of Rights, for enabling him to advance his teaching career through continuing education and allowing him to provide a higher quality of life for his family.
Professional memberships and recognition for service and leadership included the Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (Leadership Award); the American School Health Association (Fellow); the American Public Health Association (Emeritus); Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Kappa (Service Key); Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Science Honorary (Service Award); the Indiana Association for Mental Health; and the Indiana Public Health Association. In 1989, he was inducted into the Amherst High School Distinguished Alumni Gallery of Success.
Dr. Ludwig also served as a consultant/evaluator of health and safety academic programs at Michigan State, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Louisiana State and Florida State Universities. In 1977, the American Medical Association presented him with the School Bell Award for six consecutive years as a consultant for the Conference on Physicians and Schools.
A member of Bloomington’s First United Methodist Church, he served on the administrative board and the outreach committee, in the United Methodist Men and as an usher. He also spent 15 years on the Camping Division of Outdoor Ministries of the South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.
He was a member and past president of the Northside Bloomington Exchange Club, and a member of the American Legion Post #18, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #446 and the Oberlin College Heisman Club.
He served 12 years as president of the Monroe County Board of Health after being appointed by county commissioners in 1971. He was I.U.’s representative to board of the Public Health Nursing Association from 1959 to 1984. He was also a member of the Senior Games Advisory Committee for eight years, conducting track and golf events fro senior citizens.
A season ticket holder for I.U. football and men’s basketball since 1949, he was a member of the I.U. Alumni Association and the Varsity Club. He was honored by the I.U. Athletic Department for working more than two decades as an NCAA statistician for home football games. He was certified by the Athletics Congress/USA Track & Field as an official, working as a timer at I.U. track and field and cross country meets as well as Big Ten Championships, Pan Am Games, the 1988 Olympic Trials and the Indiana High School State track and field meets. He was the first recipient of I.U.’s “Track Official of the Year” award in 1983.
Dr. Ludwig is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois Summer Ludwig, of Bloomington; daughter, Linda Goff, grandson, Christopher Goff, and granddaughter, Sarah Goff, all of Germantown, Tennessee; son, William Ludwig, of North Vernon; step-grandson, Ryan Berdel, of Greenwood; step-granddaughter, Rebecca Berdel, of Chicago; son, Donald, Jr. and his wife, Janet, of Denver, Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother, Neal B. Ludwig, daughter-in-law, Jan Ludwig and son-in-law, Frank Goff.
A service of celebration was held at Day Funeral Home Chapel in Bloomington on Thursday, June 18 at 1:30 P.M. with the Rev. Robert L. Epps officiating. Entombment followed at Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington where the Veterans Honor Guard will provide military rites.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be given to the Donald J. Ludwig Scholarship at the Indiana University Foundation, Showalter House, P.O. Box 500; Bloomington, IN 47402.
