Former chair of special education, Joseph Eisenbach, dies June 25

Contact: Teresa Ventimiglia
Photo of Joseph J. Eisenbach.

Joseph J. Eisenbach

Joseph J. Eisenbach, Western Michigan University professor emeritus of special education, died June 25, in Kalamazoo. He was 92.

Eisenbach joined the Department of Special Education in 1961 and retired in 1988 after 26 years of service to the University. He was chair of that department from 1969 to 1986.

Joseph J. Eisenbach

Eisenbach was responsible for many federal and state grants to the University for the research of teaching handicapped children. He was honored by WMU in 1979 for bringing outside financial support to the University.

At the request of President Jimmy Carter, Eisenbach attended the meeting of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped at the White House in 1977.

He was a member of many professional organizations, a noted speaker, and an author of many articles and papers.

Eisenbach earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Kansas State University and a doctoral degree from Wayne State University.

Services and remembrances

A private service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek. Messages to the family may be left at langeland.com.