Richard Zeller Phd.

Sebring, OH: Richard A. Zeller, PhD, 64, retired professor of statistics in the College of Nursing at Kent State University, died of malignant melanoma cancer on Thursday, April 16, at his home. Zeller retired in May 2008 but maintained his professional activity until shortly before his death. He had lived with melanomas for 35 years. Zeller is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan, his children, David and Dean, his sisters, Marie Zeller and Karen Wolff, and his sister-in-law, Lois Zeller. He was preceded in death by his brother, Norman. Dr. Zeller was fond of saying that he was "...in the business of jump-starting professional careers." He served on many thesis and dissertation committees, and worked with students and colleagues on the research design and statistical analysis of social and biological data. His clients were both local and international. He served as statistician on research projects in Thailand, Taiwan, Zambia, Scotland, and Ireland. He worked on research projects in hospitals and universities across America. Zeller is the author of three books and more than 90 published professional research articles. Zeller's professorial career was 40 years in length. He earned a BA degree from LaVerne College (California) and MA and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He held professorial positions at the University of Minnesota, the State University of New York in Buffalo, and Bowling Green State University prior to his professorial position at Kent State University. Zeller's greatest professional satisfaction was assisting in improving the statistical sophistication of nursing research. The result of this activity enhanced the professionalization of the discipline of nursing. He often said that the judgment of nurses needs to be included in patient care decisions on pain management, patient constraint, diet, and a wide range of patient well-being issues for which the nurses' knowledge of patients provides valuable input. A reception in remembrance of Richard will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon in Williamsburg Lounge at Copeland Oaks Retirement Community in Sebring, Ohio. His Celebration of Life Memorial Service will also be held on Saturday, May 2, at 3:00 pm in Henderson Hall, College of Nursing, Kent State University, in Kent, Ohio. The Zeller family has established the Dr. Richard A. Zeller Nursing Research Fund at the College of Nursing, Kent State University. In lieu of flowers, donations to this fund may be sent to: Kent State University Foundation, c/o Dr. Richard A. Zeller Nursing Research Fund, College of Nursing, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH, 44242. Arrangements are by Gednetz-Ruzek Funeral Home. Friends may send condolences and sign the guest register online at www.grfuneralhome.com.

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