Obituary of Edwin Leon Herr

Edwin Leon Herr, 82, of State College, died April 23, 2016, at Foxdale Village surrounded by his loving family. Born November 23, 1933 in Carlisle, PA. He was the only child of the late Samuel Leon and Ruth Estella McGonigal Herr. He married Patricia Ann Greene Herr on July 27, 1963, who survives at home. He is survived by three children, Amber Leigh Herr, of Matthews, NC, Christopher Alan Herr and his wife Sarah, of San Diego, CA, Alicia Estelle Hess and her husband Terry, of State College and five grandchildren: Myles Patrick, Max Sheehan, Becket Edwin Herr, Fletcher Edward and Sloane Alise Hess. He is also survived by his beloved Mr. Cat whom he enjoyed spending time with. He had a wide variety of jobs which prompted his respect shown to all persons whose work contributed to the welfare of the community and world and not judged by stereotypes, race, education or wealth. Ed was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Education (Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology), and Associate Dean Emeritus, College of Education, The Pennsylvania State University. He became Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Studies and Technology, and served as Head of the Department of Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology and Rehabilitation Services Education or earlier department iterations for 24 years. During this time, he also served as University Director of Vocational Teacher Education and Director of the Center for Professional Personnel Development in Vocational Education, in 1975 and 1998-99 was Interim Dean of the College of Education, and in 2000-2001 he also served as Interim Head of the Department of Adult Education, Instructional Systems & Workforce Education and Development. He received his B.S. degree in Business Education from Shippensburg State Teachers College (now Shippensburg University) (1955) and his M.A. degree in Psychological Foundations, Professional Diploma in Coordination of Guidance Services, and Ed.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University (1959, 1961, and 1963, respectively), where he was an Alumni Fellow. Ed was very proud of his military service and time as a pilot. He was honored as Most Outstanding Airman in 1954. He served as an enlisted man and as an officer in the Air National Guard, the U. S. Air Force, and U. S. Air Force Reserves from which he received an Honorable Discharge as a rank of Captain (USAF Res). His non-professional work experiences included: served as a shipping department laborer in a shoe factory; a mail sorter (U.S. Postal Service), a dishwasher in a college dining hall, on heavy construction as a laborer, jackhammer operator, and fine grade assistant foreman, Member, AFL-CIO Hod Carriers Union. He also served in various part-time clerical and retailing jobs. Ed found that the labor intensive experiences and a strong work ethic seem to be typical characteristics of the work-bound youth for whom he advocated during his career. It gave him a sense of connection with unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers. At the age of 25, Ed was the victim of a devastating car accident that changed his life’s trajectory. He spent six months in two hospitals as a burn patient. At that time he learned that all of us have setbacks and tragedy. The question was: How does one deal with one’s circumstances? Faith in God was an important facet in Ed’s life and he used the experience to help others. Ed was a former business teacher, school counselor, and director of guidance. He previously served as assistant and associate professor of counselor education at the State University of New York at Buffalo (1963-66) and as the first director of the Bureau of Guidance Services and the Bureau of Pupil Personnel Services, Pennsylvania Department of Education (1966-68). He was a visiting professor, researcher or coordinator of international conferences in some 20 European universities as well as in Africa, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and Taiwan. In 1976, he served as aVisiting Fellow, National Institute for Careers Education and Counseling, Cambridge, England. In 1979, he was selected to serve as a Research Fellow by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, at Sophia University, Tokyo from which he lectured at universities throughout Japan. In 1978 and 1981, he served respectively as an Asia Foundation Lecturer and a Yoshida International Education Lecturer at Japanese universities. In 1989, he served as Visiting Professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology, the University of British Columbia, Canada, and as the Landsdowne Scholar, University of Victoria, Canada. In 1963, Ed joined the faculty of the Pennsylvania State University first as a Full Professor and subsequently as a Distinguished Professor. Among his many professional awards, in 1984, he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Swedish National labor Market Board for his research and conceptual work in career development. In 1986, he was the recipient of the Eminent Career Award of the National Vocational Guidance Association for sustained national and international influence on theory, research, and practice in career behavior. In 1990, he received the Professional Development Award of the American Association for Counseling and Development for national and international scholarship and research on systems of counseling and he received the 50th Anniversary Professional Leadership Award of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision for his scholarship and leadership in counselor preparation. For his scholarship and leadership in Vocational Education, he was chosen the Visiting Scholar of the University Council of Vocational Education for 1990-91. In 1993, he received a Government Relations Award for outstanding achievement in legislation and public policy from the National Employment Counselors Association and the American Counseling Association, and he was chosen the Distinguished Scholar for 1993 by Chi Sigma Iota, the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International. In 1995, Herr received the Career Achievement Award from the College of Education, The Pennsylvania State University. In 1996, he received a Special Presidential Award and Governing Council Resolution from the American Counseling Association for his Distinguished Commitment to the Counseling Profession and specifically for his “unique and important research and theoretical contributions.” In 1998, Ed was selected one of the first four Overseas Fellows of the National Institute for Careers Education and Counselling, Cambridge, England. In 1999 he received a Leadership Award from Alpha Tau Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa and a Leadership in International Collaboration Award from the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. In 2000, he received the National Career Development Association President’s Award and the Distinguished Senior Contributor Award from the American Psychological Association; in 2001, he received the Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award from The Pennsylvania State University and the Dare to Lead Award from the International Learning Network. In 2003, Ed received the Extended Research Award from the American Counseling Association. In 2004, he was designated one of the first four Fellows selected by the American Counseling Association for his scientific and governance achievements. He also received the Counseling Innovation and Vision Award from the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and the Presidential Recognition Award of the National Career Development Association. He had been elected to Fellow status in the American Psychological Association (Division 17, Counseling Psychology), the American Psychological Society, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association, the American Association for Applied and Preventive Psychology and the National Career Development Association. He has been listed in such directories as Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Education, and Who’s Who in the World and was a member of several honorary scholastic societies including Chi Sigma Iota, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Sigma Pi, Iota Lambda Sigma, Phi Sigma Pi, and Beta Gamma Sigma. In addition, Ed also provided or received fellowships including The Edwin L. Herr Fellowship for Excellence in Counseling Leadership and Scholarship through Chi Sigma Iota which was created to recognize and honor the career contributions of Dr. Edwin L. Herr to Chi Sigma Iota and to the counseling profession as a whole. Other fellowships include the Edwin L. Herr Scholarship for the Education of Counselors through the College of Education at Penn State University and the Edwin L. Herr Counselor Education Fellowship to Study Abroad at Shippensburg University. Ed was past president of the American Association for Counseling and Development, (American Counseling Association); past president of the National Vocational Guidance Association, past president of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and past-president of Chi Sigma Iota, the international academic honor society in counseling. He served as a member of the Executive Committee of the International Round Table for the Advancement of Counseling (1976-84) and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Educational and Vocational Guidance (1991-99). He was the author or co-author of more than 33 books, numerous monographs, 300 refereed journal articles and technical reports, and 50 invited book chapters. He was the past Editor of The Journal of Counseling & Development (1993-1996) and of Counselor Education and Supervision (1971-74), and a member of several other Editorial Boards, including the British Journal of Guidance & Counselling. Ed also served in many roles in our local community. He and his wife Co-Chaired the Centre County United Way; Co-Chairs of the Centre County Cancer Society; multiple tasks as laypersons: planning roles, teaching, spiritual gifts, and related activities as an active member at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in State College, PA. Even with all of these accomplishments and accolades, Ed always felt that his highest calling was being a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. Ed’s parents and family were always on his mind and he took them on his travels many times or always brought back a remembrance of his trip to each one. He once flew to Texas, gave a speech, and flew back the same day so that he could take his children to the neighborhood trick or treat. He never missed a game, concert, performance or anything that was important to his children or family. He encouraged them to pursue their dreams and passions. He never lectured. He always led by example. He enjoyed sports, flying gliders and power planes, fishing, and playing trumpet in multiple bands. His wife of 52 years was his biggest cheerleader, best teammate, and forever “the prettiest girl in the room”. His greatest accomplishment was a loving family. While flying, Ed always enjoyed breaking the bounds of earth and soaring with the eagles at his wing tips. Isaiah 40:30-31 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles: they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2016, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 250 East College Ave., State College with the Reverend Eric Shafer officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hall Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to: Edwin L. Herr Scholarship for the Education of Counselors through the College of Education at Penn State University Penn State University, c/o College of Education, 247 Chambers Building, University Park, PA 16802 The Edwin L. Herr Fellowship for Excellence in Counseling Leadership and Scholarship through Chi Sigma Iota Chi Sigma Iota, P.O. Box 1829, Thomasville, NC 27360 1-336-841-8180 Edwin L. Herr Counselor Education Fellowship to Study Abroad at Shippensburg University. SU Foundation at 717-477-1377 St. Pauls United Methodist Church Your favorite charity. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.