Obituary of Kenneth Harold Toepfer

Kenneth H. Toepfer, 88, Provost Emeritus of Teacher's College, Columbia University, died on March 19, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. The cause was complications of Parkinson's disease and cancer. Ken was born on January 17, 1929 in Charles City, IA, the son of the late Byron and Marion Toepfer and brother to the late Betty Gray. On July 11, 1954 he married the former Nancy Grimes, who lovingly supported him through his illness and survives him at home. Ken was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Cornell College in Iowa and was the first in his family to attend college. He received a master's degree in 1953 from Columbia University, School of International Affairs, and a doctorate in Higher Education in 1966 from Columbia University, Teacher's College. He served in the Army as a Corporal and Professor for the Armed Forces Information School in New Rochelle, NY from 1953-1958. In 1961 Ken began his academic career with Teachers College (TC) as Coordinator of the Teachers for East Africa Project (TEA). TEA, launched in February 1961, provided teachers for secondary schools and teacher-training colleges in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. TEA was one of the first international initiatives of the Kennedy Administration and Ken expanded the program to Afghanistan, Paraguay, and other countries. After three years as Assistant Dean of Education at SUNY Buffalo, Ken returned to TC as Director of Planning in 1967. He became Provost and Professor of Higher Education in 1971, working with Presidents John Fisher and Lawrence Cremin, leaders in the reform and integration of American education. He served as Executive Officer overseeing the College, and contributed to the renovation of the Library, development of the TC Press, and other initiatives. He retired from TC in 1986. In 1987 Ken became Executive Vice President of the American University in Cairo (AUC), where he chaired AUC's committee to develop a five-year strategic plan and supervised multiple support offices. His major responsibility was to oversee the planning and physical expansion of the institution including the construction of a new campus. Returning to the United States in 1993, Ken served as AUC's senior administrative representative in the United States until his final retirement in 1996. Throughout his career Ken was known for his kindness, integrity, and fairness. He strongly believed in the importance and power of education to improve the lives of all individuals, regardless of their background or geographic location. Ken enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, sharing his appreciation for pottery, classical music, the arts, travel and history. He loved New York City and relished his walks in Manhattan, from the upper West Side to the Battery. He enjoyed walks in the woods and sojourns to Maine with his family. After almost 40 years in Leonia, NJ, he and his wife moved to State College, PA in 2005. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Nancy Toepfer; three daughters, Kathryn Permut (Howard) of Scarborough, NY, Elizabeth Toepfer-Hendey (Dan) of State College, PA, and Mary Dolce (Paul) of Fort Collins, CO; three grandchildren, Sam Permut, Sarah Permut, and Anna Hendey, and in-laws Tom (Maureen) Grimes of Boalsburg, PA and Janis Kurz of State College, PA. His many nieces and nephews will miss his wit and generous friendship. There will be a memorial service at Foxdale Village at a future date. He will be buried at the Leonia United Methodist Church Memorial Garden. Contributions in his name can be made to the Toepfer Family Scholarship Fund at Teachers College, Columbia University, Box 306, 525 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027 or http://www.tc.edu/toepfer. Ken's family is grateful for the compassionate and loving care provided by the staff at Anthony House, Foxdale Village during his final years. 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.