Earl Albert Dvorak

Earl Albert Dvorak, 95, passed away June 8, 2019 in Bloomington. He was born January 31, 1924 in Montgomery, Minnesota to Sophie (Rynda) and Wencel J. Dvorak. Earl graduated from Montgomery High School in 1941. While in high school, he held several jobs including as a local reporter for a radio station, and was involved in numerous activities including debate and musical productions. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 1946, his M.A. degree from Columbia University in 1947, and his Ed.D. from Indiana University in 1951. He also did graduate study at Stanford University. He taught business at Pacific University from 1947-1949, and at Indiana University from 1951-1994. In addition to teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, Earl chaired many doctoral dissertation committees, earning high praise and much gratitude from his students. He developed the undergraduate business communication course that grew into a required course for business majors and a popular elective for other IU students. In addition, he directed the annual Indiana Educational Secretaries Conference on the IU campus for 35 years. For 12 years, he directed the School of Business scholarship program that awarded significant scholarships to deserving undergraduate students. Earl was a sought-after manuscript reviewer and editor, and authored numerous articles on research methodology. Earl married Marilyn G. Reichert on November 28, 1953; they met as students at the University of Minnesota. She predeceased him in 1975. He is also predeceased by his parents, six brothers, and one sister. Earl is survived by his brother, Robert Dvorak of Montgomery, Minnesota; two daughters, Joy (Craig Walker) of Columbus, IN and Leah (Brad Condie) of Glendale WI; two grandsons, Andrew C. Dvorak (Stephanie) of Grayslake, IL and Michael C. Dvorak (fiancé Laura Neff) of Sacramento, CA; and two great-granddaughters. He was a kind, considerate and very funny man of many diverse interests and talents, including singing in high school productions, raising and showing both dogs and horses, flower gardening, and following IU sports, particularly basketball. He always knew who would win the Kentucky Derby and which teams would do well in March Madness. In retirement, he took up baking as a hobby and became known as the “Cookie Man”; he made large batches of unique and always delicious cookies which he generously shared with family and friends all over the country. The family would like to thank the following people who helped his daughter Joy care so well for him in his last years: Jennifer Sheese; Jackie Routt and the staff at Brookdale Bloomington; IU Heath cardiology staff and physicians (Rachel O’Connor, NP; John Strobel, MD; Kyle Hornsby, MD); IU Health Advanced Cardiology Care nursing staff and IU Health Bloomington Hospital staff; Dr. ShaLeish Basani; Dr. Patrick and Mrs. Janet Dunnigan; Meadowwood Skilled Nursing staff; Southern Care Hospice; Charlotte Clevenger; and Karen Prather. Thanks also to Lynn Cochran and to neighbors Barbara, Larry and David Wall for their help and friendship to Earl over many years. Earl loved animals and requested that anyone wishing to make a donation on his behalf direct it to the Bloomington Animal Shelter. The Day & Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E. Third Street, Bloomington IN 47401 is handling arrangements with visitation on Saturday, June 15 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a brief time of remembrance at 11:00. There will be cookies. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.DayDeremiahFyre.com