SRU mourns former leader
A former president of Slippery Rock University died last week.
“His whole thing was, 'You should try it. You should go for it. I believe in you,' ” said Alicia Aebersold, daughter of Robert Aebersold, 83, of Greensboro, N.C., who died Aug. 12 from medical complications.
According to his family, Aebersold was a man who did not sit under the shade of his accomplishments. He believed in progress and in moving forward.
The first of his family to go to college, Aebersold's career at SRU evolved over time, beginning in 1968 when he started teaching in the Physical Education Department and was a coach in football and baseball.
Alicia Aebersold said her father never planned to be president, but he embraced the position, using all his skills as a people person to be remembered as a great one.
She said Aebersold communicated in a way that gave people energy, drive and motivation. She said it was the coach in him.
“So many people loved him because he gave us himself in every conversation. He was warm and thoughtful, and he was a coach,” Alicia Aebersold said. “He would help people with things. He was just very inspiring.”
His wife, Nancy Aebersold, said her husband's background as a coach, counselor and teacher allowed him to connect with people on a fundamental level.
“He was so good with people,” she said. “He really cared about people.
During his tenure, Aebersold helped develop the university's dance program, the first in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
He also helped establish the school's physical therapy program, and he took great pride in its success.
During his time as president, the university built the Alumni House and the student apartments. In a student vote, the Aebersold Recreation Center built during his tenure was named in his honor.
“The university was deeply saddened to learn of Dr. Aebersold's passing,” SRU said in a statement Monday. “He leaves behind a great legacy as a builder, both programmatically and structurally, and more importantly as a friend-maker. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
According to Nancy Aebersold, after his retirement from SRU, her husband served in some leadership roles of other universities, but he made some of his best friends during his time at SRU.
“Some of the best friends and people he met were the people in downtown Slippery Rock. He pretty much made friends with everyone he talked to.”
Alicia said her father was hardworking and selfless, but he always made time for his family.
She said some nights, when he was really busy, he would come home for dinner, then go back to the office. “He would come home, just for us,” she said.
Alicia Aebersold said Slippery Rock is a place they will forever call home, and a place that they will always remember having a large part of their lives, especially their father's.
His obituary appears on Page 6.
