Obituary of Cecil Ross Trueblood

Cecil Ross Trueblood, age 83, Penn State Professor Emeritus, beloved husband and father, of State College, passed away peacefully November 12, 2017, at Foxdale Village. Born in Altoona, he was the son of the late Cecil Roscoe and Alice Marie Burley Trueblood. On August 6, 1955, he married Doris Mae Nailor. Cecil is survived by his wife of 62 years of State College; and his sons Dwight (Elizabeth Turner) of Durham, NH and Craig (Julie McAvoy) of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren Jacquelyn, Isaac (Sophia Dien), Dylan, and Gregory Trueblood; and seven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Dorothy Isenberg and her husband Charles, and brother Jacob Eli Trueblood.

Cecil was a 1951 graduate of Holidaysburg Area High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1955 from Shippensburg University. For two years he was the quarterback for the Shippensburg University football team; he was very proud of the team's 20 game winning streak. Cecil had a beautiful tenor voice and he was active in the chorus and band. He was invited to sing with many church choirs as well as solo work.

Cecil served in the Marine Corps from 1955-1960, serving at Cherry Point, NC, Quantico, VA, and Camp Pendleton, CA, leaving with the rank of Major.

From 1960-1964 he taught elementary school for the Carlisle Area School District. His first assignment was a sixth grade class of students who needed "special attention." After three years he was assigned a gifted sixth grade class.

In 1964 Cecil started his graduate work at Penn State University earning a Master in Administration and in 1967 a Doctorate in Education. His teaching focus was on preparing new elementary teachers for the classroom, especially in teaching mathematics to children. His research focus was computer assisted instruction, educational research design and statistics as well as young women's attitudes toward mathematics and how that effects their teaching behavior. He co-authored a textbook "Strategies for Teaching Mathematics."

Cecil was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. He was an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 50 and later Scout Master of Troop 31. He had a passion and talent for working with young people through teaching and volunteering. Cecil was a life member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, a member of the local Elks Club, and former member of the Rotary Club. He enjoyed outdoor activities including hiking, photography, gardening and fishing. At Foxdale Village, Cecil enjoyed caring for the Darlington Greenhouse.

After retiring in 1996, Cecil and Doris spent another sixteen years traveling and taking landscape and wildlife photographs as well as participating in arts and crafts shows. What great fun together.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, December 16, 2016, at the Foxdale Village Auditorium, 500 E. Marylyn Ave., State College, with Celebrant Jackie Hook officiating.

In lieu of flowers, Cecil requested that memorial contributions be directed to one of the following organizations: Boy Scout Troop 31, St. Paul's United Methodist Church; Foxdale Charitable funds: Landscape and Garden Fund or Tuition Reimbursement Fund; or State College Food Bank.

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.