Elsie Pinkston
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Dr. Elsie M. Pinkston, 74, died May 31, 2012, in Chicago. Dr. Pinkston was professor emerita of the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, where she taught for 29 years before retiring in 2002. Her research focused on the effectiveness of social work practice in areas such as parent training, care for the elderly, and child welfare. Dr. Pinkston was born in Oklahoma and grew up in rural Altoona, Kan. She earned her undergraduate, master¹s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Pinkston was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Donald M. Baer, of Lawrence. She is survived by stepdaughters Ruth Baer, Lexington, Ky., Miriam Baer, Durham, N.C., and Deborah Baer Sevart, Whitefish Bay, Wis., and their families; and nieces and nephews. Memorials to the Donald M. Baer Faculty Award Fund at the University of Kansas
(www.absc.ku.edu/alumni/giving.shtml) would be appreciated.
Inurnment will be 4 p.m. Friday, August 17, 2012 at Pioneer Cemetery, Lawrence, KS.
A few weeks ago to kick off a continuing education semimar, the leader asked all us participants to name their favorite teacher and why. Without hesitating, I named Elsie and described her geneosity, enthusiasm and willingness to not only set high clinical and technical standards as a practitioner, but also to be available as needed to help you reach those standards. She was a true “coach” and role model. At the seminar – as now when I’m writing this -I began to quietly cry in gratitude and appreciation for Elsie. Her gift to me has lasted a lifetime and has touched the lives of the people I have served. I will continue to actively use her as a model in my practice. My deepest sympathies to Elsie’s family, friends and colleagues.
I knew Elsie when we were graduate students and knew even then she was destined for great things. Elsie was a warm & genuinely caring person, so very smart and often very funny. It is no wonder so many people liked, loved and respected her. She will be sorely missed.