Friday, January 29, 1999

Dr. Esther Kathleen Keen Zolber

Esther "Kathleen" Keen was the second daughter of Wildie Herbert Keen and Alice Murriel Johnson.  She was born on 9 December 1916 in Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington.
Kathleen and her mother Alice Johnson Keen

She married Melvin Leroy Zolber on 19 September 1937 in Walla Walla.  Melvin was born on 24 August 1914 in Cottonwood, Cassia, Idaho.  Melvin and Kathleen had no children. 

Kathleen passed away on 29 January 1999 in Loma Linda, San Bernardino, California.  An excellent sketch of her life was included in her obituary, originally found at http://www.llu.edu/news/today/feb99/llu.htm#Memorial:

Memorial services held for former director of LLUMC nutritional services, Kathleen K. Zobler, PhD

Memorial services were held Sabbath, February 5, for long-time emeritus professor of nutrition Kathleen Keen Zolber, PhD. Dr. Zolber joined the Loma Linda University faculty in 1964. She was 82.

Born in Walla Walla, Washington, Dr. Zolber lived in Loma Linda for the past 35 years.

Dr. Zolber received her undergraduate education at Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington, where she received her bachelor of science degree in 1941 with a major in foods and nutrition. In 1961, she received a master of science degree in foods and nutrition from Washington State University, Pullman, and in 1968, she earned a doctor of philosophy degree in food systems administration from University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Dr. Zolber

Prior coming to Loma Linda University, Dr. Zolber served as an instructor in foods and nutrition in the department of home economics at Walla Walla College from 1941 to 1951. In 1951, she accepted the position of college bookstore manager--a position she held until 1957. She returned to teaching at Walla Walla College in 1957 as assistant professor of foods and nutrition.

In 1964, Dr. Zolber joined the School of Allied Health Professions and Graduate School faculty as associate professor of nutrition and food systems administration. In 1967, she was promoted to full professor and director of the dietetics internship program for the School of Public Health. In 1972, she became program director for the nutrition and dietetics program in the School of Allied Health Professions, and director of nutritional services for Loma Linda University Medical Center.

Dr. Zolber had a distinguished career in the field of dietetics. She was elected president of the American Dietetic Association in 1982; served on the board of directors for the National Nutrition Consortium, Washington, D.C.; a member of the publications advisory committee for the American Dietetics Association; a member-at-large of the board of directors for the American Dietetic Association; and served on the task force on dietetic education for the Central office of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. She was instrumental in the founding of the National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics and began the building fund for its headquarters in Chicago.

During her distinguished career, she received many honors including the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, Alumnus of the Year Award from Walla Walla College, Distinguished Home Economics Alumnus Award from Washington State University, and the Dolores Nyhus Award which is the highest award given by the California Dietetic Association.

In 1984, Dr. Zolber received the Distinguished University Service Award from Loma Linda University. In addition, Dr. Zolber was selected by the University Lecture Committee of Loma Linda University to be Distinguished Faculty Lecturer.

While at Loma Linda, she was involved in many research projects, wrote numerous articles for professional journals, and co-authored Vegetarian Diet--Food for Us All, published by the American Dietetic Association in 1973.

Dr. Zolber was also active in many activities of the University Church of Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda. She served on the church board, strategic planning committee, and the finance committee.

She is survived by her husband, Melvin K. Zolber.

The family suggests donations be made to the Kathleen Zolber Academic Nutrition Endowment Fund, LLU, Magan Hall.

Kathleen's cremains were interred at the Montecito Memorial Park cemetery in Loma Linda.

After Kathleen's death, Melvin married a lovely lady named Helen and lived in Walla Walla with her until his death on January 29, 2008, the ninth anniversary of Kathleen's passing. He was interred with her in Montecito Memorial Park.

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