Gerontology expert Page-Robin dies

The founding director of the WMU Gerontology program and two-time Faculty Senate president has died.

Ellen Page-Robin, professor emerita of community health services, died Jan. 3 in Kalamazoo. She was 82.

Ellen Page-Robin

Page-Robin joined the University in 1968 as assistant professor of sociology. She was later promoted to professor of community health services and was appointed director of gerontology in 1976. She retired in 1998 after 32 years of service.

The gerontology program at WMU was started with a federal grant written by Page-Robin and the courses taught were developed and initiated by her. The program became nationally recognized under her leadership.

She also served as associate chair of the department of sociology and held numerous positions with the Faculty Senate.

She was honored as WMU's Woman of the Year in 1983, and received the Distinguished Faculty Award from the Michigan Association of Governing Boards in 1986.

Her passion for gerontology was evident in her service to the community, including serving as consultant to many local nursing homes, the Battle Creek Veterans Administration Medical Center and Bronson Methodist Hospital. She also served on the board of directors of Senior Services of Kalamazoo and served in other positions in that organization.

She was very active as a member of numerous professional associations and held memberships in several national professional organizations, including the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, National Council on Aging and Gerontological Society of America. She also was a delegate to the Michigan White House Conference on Aging in 1981.

Page-Robin was the author of many articles and papers and presented to many organizations across the country.

Services

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, in the Kiva Room at Friendship Village, 1400 N. Drake, Kalamazoo. Light refreshments will be served after the service.

Remembrances

Messages to the family maybe left at avinkcremation.com. Donations may be made in her name to the American Lung Association or Senior Services of Southwest Michigan.