Robert A. McCall

Robert A. McCall of Carbondale, Illinois died on Monday, April 23, 2007 at 4:05 PM at Rehab and Care Center of Jackson County. He was born in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota on January 28, 1915 to James and Luella (Harrison) McCall. He came to Johnson County Illinois with his family in 1920. He attended Johnson County elementary schools and Ridgeway and Murphysboro high schools. In 1936 he graduated from Southern Illinois State Teachers College (now SIU Carbondale) where he majored in zoology and physical education. He was a member of the Varsity Gymnastic Team, being captain his senior year. In 1939 he received a Masters degree and in 1949 a PhD degree, both from New York University. On June 6, 1937 he married Ruby Etherton of Murphysboro. She preceded him in death on June 25, 2006. Survivors include: a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah and Robert Grant of Walnut Creek, California; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Clare McCall of Carbondale; two sisters, Josephine Martin of Goreville, and Luella Conrad of Gwynedd, Pennsylvania. He leaves four grandchildren: Catherine Grant and husband, Rodger Bartlett of Boston Massachusetts; Jennifer Grant and husband, Andrew Stack of Redwood City, California; Ian McCall and Robin McCall of Carbondale. He leaves three great grandchildren: Zachary, Zoe, and Zadie Stack of Redwood City, California. His parents and two sisters: Helen Garner and Mary McCall, preceded him in death. After teaching two years in New Burnside, Illinois high school, in 1938, Mr. McCall and his wife Ruby went to New York City where he worked as Boysƒ?T Physical Education Director in the Flushing, Long Island YMCA while attending classes at New York University. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served at Scott Field, Illinois as a Physical Training Officerƒ?"then for 20 months in the European Theater as an Information/Education Officer. In 1946 he returned to New York, and for the next three years he served as a Recreation Specialist in the Agriculture Extension Service at Penn State University while completing requirements for the PhD Degree at New York University. In 1949 he, with his family, moved to Muncie, Indiana, and for the next 27 years he taught Physical Education and coached at Ball State University, for 13 of which he was Chairman of the Division of Physical Education and Athletics. As an administrator, Dr. McCall advanced opportunities for women athletes and helped promote better teacher preparation and an expanded program of intramural and intercollegiate athletics. He was active in the state AAHPER, being President one year. He was Chairman of the University Library Accreditation Committee; a member of the Committee for the Annual Summer Arts Festival; he served on the Editorial Board of the literary journal: Ball State University Forum. He was a member of the Muncie Torch Club; and he co-authored a film strip series on the History of Physical Education and Sports. The annual lecture series sponsored by the University Adult Fitness Program was named in honor of Dr. McCall. In 1976 he and his wife left Muncie and moved to rural Johnson County, Illinois to be near his parents. They become involved in volunteer work, serving in the Latch Key program and the Adult Literacy Program, both at the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, and also, in the Goreville Senior Center where, for 17 years, he taught an exercise class and served in various leadership roles, including President for three years. In 1994-1995 he served as President of the Johnson County Association of Retired Teachers. He organized and directed a chorus at the Goreville Senior Center in 1987. For 15 years he played trombone in the Shawnee College Community Dance Band. In October 1996 he and his wife moved from their rural home to Carbondale, Illinois where he was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Carbondale. Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna, Illinois is in charge of cremation and burial. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, April 30 at First United Methodist Church, 214 West Main Street, Carbondale. A reception will be held in the Church parlor following the Service. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Partners with the Future Campaign at First United Methodist Church of Carbondale.

Robert A. McCall

January 28, 1915 - April 23, 2007