In Memoriam

Brooke Kirchner, who died following a battle with cancer on Aug. 13, 2021, was FSU’s alumni relations and event specialist and had been honored as an honorary alumna in 2019. As someone who enjoyed every aspect of event planning, from organizing them to participating, she had a magnetic personality, always smiling and happy, and she loved working with people. “Brooke’s personality lit up a room, which always made our alumni feel welcome,” said John Short, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the FSU Foundation. “Brooke was taken too soon. We’ll always love her for the wonderful light she brought into all of our lives.” The Brooke R. Kirchner Student Alumni Engagement Scholarship has been established to honor her memory. She is survived by her husband, Justin, and their two children, Lucy and Jax.

Dr. Robert L. McFarland, who died on July 11, 2021, was a professor emeritus in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and longtime coach for the Bobcat swim team. Joining Frostburg State in 1973 after earning his master’s and doctoral degrees from Kent State University, he retired from FSU in 1998. He is survived by his wife, Ann McFarland M’79, and their children, Robert C. McFarland, Carol McFarland Brown ’88 and Janet McFarland Kamenick, and nine grandchildren, including FSU students Erin Brown and Ryleigh Brown. The family has requested memorial donations be made to the Dr. Robert L. and Elizabeth Ann McFarland Scholarship Fund, which benefits full-time students majoring in exercise and sport science.

Dr. Norman W. Nightingale ’60/M’67, who died Dec. 31, 2021, was a professor emeritus in the Department of Educational Professions, serving as coordinator of secondary field experiences until his retirement in 1997. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War, then with the Maryland Army Reserve Signal Corps. He made many contributions to the field of education, including developing the FSU-Garrett County Teacher Education Center and presenting programs for the National Association of Teacher Educators. He was a member of the Maryland Association of Teacher Educators, Maryland State Teachers Association, National Education Association, Maryland Association of Curriculum Development and Phi Delta Kappa, the professional organization for educators. He is survived by his sons, Mark Nightingale ’82 and Brian Nightingale ’85, and five grandchildren, including Sarah Nightingale ’10/M’11 and Kelsey Nightingale Gulledge ’12. The Dr. Norman W. Nightingale Education Scholarship was established in his honor to support senior education majors.

Dr. George R. Plitnik, who died on Sept. 20, 2021, was a longtime faculty member in the Department of Physics and Engineering, starting his Frostburg career back in 1970. During his 50 years of service, he attracted national and international attention with his Physics of Harry Potter course. Plitnik’s professional research led to his authoring books and numerous published papers in the field of acoustics, with a particular interest in pipe organ reeds. He also established longterm collaborations with international applied physics institutes in France and Japan. He was a recipient of a 2002-03 USM Regents’ Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. “He had such a great passion for the subject of physics and a great passion for teaching and mentoring. He always made the classroom brighter with his knowledge and wisdom,” said his department chair, Dr. Jamil Abdo. “He was truly a “wizard” of teaching physics.” He is survived by his sons, Dr. Brian Plitnik ’97 and David Plitnik ’91, and granddaughter, Laurel Plitnik, an FSU student.

Robert “Bob” Riggs, who died on Oct. 7, 2021, was a professor emeritus of French. He joined Frostburg’s faculty in 1970 and taught French until his retirement in 1994. He served as department chair from 1984 to 1989. An “army brat,” he was the son, grandson and great-grandson of U.S. Army generals. He pursued his post-graduate studies in France as a Fulbright Scholar at the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Toulouse. He was active in the local community in a wide range of activities. He co-founded the Summer Lunch Box program, acted in community theatre, opened his home for Heritage Days tours and contributed items from his eclectic art collection to local exhibitions. He served on boards for the Allegany County Mental Health Association, Allegany County Historical Society, the Cumberland Theater and Emmanuel Episcopal Parish.

Dr. William Jerald “Jerry” Vail, who died July 2, 2021, was faculty emeritus and former chair of the Biology Department. He served on the faculty of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, before joining Frostburg State. He received a NIH post-doctorate fellowship at the Institute from Enzyme Research, University of Wisconsin. He was the author or co-author of more than 74 scientific papers, three invited book chapters and four U.S. patents. Among his many distinctions, he was a recognized authority on the ultrastructure of mitochondria. Among the projects he worked on during his 22 years at FSU, he led research with his students into the breakdown of Styrofoam using bacteria. He was an advisor to many master’s and Ph.D. candidates over his career. He is survived by his four children, Kathryn Vail, William B. Vail, Elizabeth Vail ’89 and George Vail ’92, and two grandchildren.

Dr. Eyad Youssef, who died suddenly on Sept. 18, 2021, was an assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and Finance and the MBA coordinator. He joined FSU in 2016 and distinguished himself as an innovative colleague and teacher. Under his leadership, the MBA program experienced some of its most notable improvements, including stabilization in enrollment, new concentrations in business analytics and health care management, transition of the MBA 15-week delivery model to the seven-week model, as well as the launch of post-baccalaureate certificate programs in business analytics, health care management and management. The new course he created in digital marketing is among the best subscribed courses in the department. “He loved to learn new things and wasn’t afraid to reimagine his courses or our programs,” said Dr. Carol Gaumer ’89/M’91, chair of the Marketing and Finance Department. “He was collaborative and supportive, as a colleague and friend.” He is survived by his wife, Janie, and their five children.