Barbara E. Forker (-2010)

FORKER, BRADY, VOLKER

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 6/14/2010 at 07:32:35

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday, June 11, 2010.

Barbara E. Forker, 89, a resident of LaPosada Retirement Community in Green Valley, Ariz., died peacefully Monday, May 31, 2010, in Tucson Medical Center, Tucson, Ariz., with family members at her side. At her request no funeral or memorial will be held. Burial of cremains will be in Iowa State University Cemetery.

Barbara was known nationally and internationally as a champion of equity in women’s physical education. After 38 years at Iowa State University, she retired in 1986 as a distinguished professor emerita. She served as head of the Department of Physical Education and Leisure Studies, now called Kinesiology, from 1958 until she retired. In the early years as department head, she developed a physical education major for women and later was chosen to head the merged department of men’s and women’s physical education, one of the first in the country. In 1997, ISU renamed the Physical Education of Women Building the Barbara E. Forker Building in her honor. She led one of the most respected programs in the country and served as president of the American Alliance (AAHPERD) and received their highest honor.

She served on the U.S. Olympic committee from 1975 until 1984 and the Olympic Executive Board from 1980 to 1984. President Gerald Ford appointed her to the Commission on Olympic Sports and The President’s Commission on Physical Fitness.

She held degrees from Eastern Michigan University (bachelor’s 1942), ISU (master’s 1950) and University of Michigan (doctorate 1957). She served in the American Red Cross in Europe from 1945 to 1947 before going to ISU.

She received numerous awards throughout her career and was greatly admired and loved by all who knew her around the world. During her tenure, her emphasis was on the students, encouraging and supporting them in many different ways. Three generations of her family remember her best for her loving and generous encouragement to pursue their education and dreams, providing a role model of excellence and integrity while adding a good dose of fun for a balanced life.

She is survived by two sisters, Janis Brady (husband Harry) and Lynne Volker (husband Ed); and three generations of nieces and nephews.

Donations in her memory may be made to the ISU Foundation – Barbara Forker Memorial, P.O. Box 2230, Ames, IA, 50010, which will help fund a special student scholarship program.

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