Eric Stiffler, August 24, 2014

From Eric’s obituary: “Eric lived in Macomb (Illinois) most of his life. In 1963 he went to Phillips Exeter Academy.… He got his bachelor’s from Yale and his master’s and PhD at the University of Chicago. He was hired at Western Illinois University as a faculty member from 1977 to 1989, director of the Honors Program from 1987 to 1989, assistant provost from 1989 to 1991, associate provost from 1991 to 2001, and acting provost from 2001 to 2003. He returned to the faculty from 2003 to 2005 before his retirement on June 1, 2005. He published many papers. He was devoted to his family and a fan of photography, woodworking, and the outdoors.” Eric leaves behind his wife Janice, four children, and three grandchildren.

Eric was a member of several educational organizations and committees. They are as follows; Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, serving as president, 1989 to 1990. He was inducted as faculty member in 1982 Mortar Board, selected as faculty advisor in 1990, and recipient of the WIU Presidential Merit Award 1981 to 1983.

He was on the WIU/BOG Multicultural Conference Steering Committee 1990 to 1991, Steering Committee for the Review of Graduate Education as ex officio, 1990 to 1991, Council of Curricular Programs and Instruction as ex officio 1989 to 1991, Dean’s Council as recording secretary 1989 to 1991, Undergraduate Catalog Committee 1989 1991, Ad Hoc Committee on Publication Policies for Graduate and Undergraduate Materials 19 89to 1990, Calendar Committee 1989 to 1990, University Honors Council as chair 1987 to 1989, University Committee of Critical Thinking 1985 to 1988, Council of Humanities Forum 1981 to 1988, WIU Faculty Senate 1984 to 1987, WIU Research Council 1983 to 1986, Faculty Mentors Steering Committee 1983 to 1985, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Search Committee 1983 to 1985, Council on Admission, Graduation and Academic Standards 1981 to 1984, and North Central Association Accreditation Review Steering Committee 1979 to 1980.

He was also vice president and program chair 1984 to 1986 and secretary-treasurer 1979 to 1981 at the Illinois Philosophical Association.

From our class books: Eric was an intensive philosophy major, and made Dean’s List in 1965–66 and Ranking Scholar, 1966–67. He was in Branford, and worked on the Yale Daily News from 1966 to 1969. He was assistant director of the US Grant Foundation. I have no other information.

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