Two longtime professors emeriti recently pass away

Dr. Donald E. Lewis, professor emeritus of chemistry (1962-97), passed away Oct. 24 in Abilene at the age of 76. Dr. Zelma R. Odle, professor emerita of English (1946-84) and former Teacher of the Year, died Oct. 25 at the age of 88.

Lewis was born in Paducah, Texas on July 3, 1931. He received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from ACU in 1952, a master's of science degree in 1954 and doctorate in biochemistry in 1957, both from Florida State University.

Lewis began his teaching career at ACU in 1966 as an associate professor in chemistry, after serving as an associate professor from Queens College in North Carolina. He was promoted to professor in 1969, and took a brief leave of absence from 1980-81 to become a visiting professor at University of Texas at Austin. Lewis returned to ACU where he taught until his retirement in 1977.

As an undergraduate at ACU, Lewis was a member of Alpha Chi and Blue Key. He graduated summa cum laude and served as the valedictorian of his graduating class. Lewis was also a member of the American Chemical Society.

Services were held Oct. 26 at Elmwood Chapel in Abilene.

Odle was born in Gainesville, Texas, Aug. 19, 1919. She began her teaching career in 1939 while still in school at North Texas State University. In 1942, Odle received a bachelor's degree in English from North Texas State University, and a master's of arts degree, as well as a doctorate of English in 1960, from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

She began teaching at ACU in 1946 as an instructor of English and Spanish at Abilene Christian School, then known as the Demonstration School. Odle became an assistant professor of English in 1954, and a full professor in 1967. In 1964, Odle received the Outstanding Teacher Award and was named Piper Professor of Texas in 1973.

Odle was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, an academic honor society, as well as Delta Kappa Gamma and Zeta Psi. She was a member of the Abilene Shakespeare Club, the International Shakespeare Association, and the Shakespeare Association of America. She was also active in the International Joseph Conrad Society, and was conferred lifetime membership to the Texas Conference of College Teachers of English in 1986. She volunteered in the community, helping with fund drives for the Heart Association and the March of Dimes.

Following retirement from ACU in 1984, Odle taught at Rochester College. After retiring from Rochester, she moved back to Abilene until her death.

A service honoring the life of Odle will be conducted Monday, Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. in the University Church of Christ auditorium in Abilene.

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