Virginia Eicholtz

Virginia T. Eicholtz, 89, of Topeka, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2008 at Brewster Place. She was born on October 15, 1918 in Perry, KS, the daughter of J.W. and Vera Prater Trusdale. She attended Kansas State University, Northwestern University and Washburn University. Virginia was with the Menninger Foundation from 1956 until 1988. She was copy editor of the Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, a journal for the mental health professions, from 1956 until 1960 and then was editorial secretary, assistand editor and managing editor of that journal. In 1983, she became director of Menninger's division of scientific publications, retiring December 31, 1985. From then until 1988, she was instructor in scientific writing for the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry & Mental Health Sciences. She was a Fellow and national president of the American Medical Writers Association and a member of the Council of Biology Editors and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, the First Presbyterian Church, Kansas Press Women and the National Federation of Press Women. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Capital Area Chapter of American Red Cross. Virginia married George H. Eicholtz on May 28, 1937 in Alma, KS. He preceded her in death in October of 2002. She was also preceded in death by one son, James R. Eicholtz in 1993 and one granddaughter, Debora Lee Sparks in 1993. Survivors include two sons, Jon T. Eicholtz and wife, Barbara Eden of Beverly Hills, CA, William H. Eicholtz and wife, Nancy of Topeka, ten grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, twelve great-great-grandchildren and many neices and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Arab Shrine Travel Fund c/o Arab Shrine, 1305 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66612.