Susan miller degnan biography for kids

Edgar Alan Kovner, a long time Old Dominion University engineering technology professor, passed away June 11 in Tamarac, Fla., at age 94.

Kovner, who was called a pioneer and Renaissance man by his colleagues, referred to his career at ODU as his “educational ministry.”

Born in New York City to Russian immigrant parents in 1919, he was named after the American poet and short story writer Edgar Allan Poe.

Kovner, a lover of books and a strict grammarian,

received his bachelor’s degree from City College of New York in 1939 and his master’s from the University of Pennsylvania in 1940, both in chemical engineering. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Old Dominion College in 1964.

In 1941, Kovner moved to Norfolk to serve as a marine engineer for the U.S. Navy. Two years later, he joined the faculty of the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary (now Old Dominion University) and in 1983, after more than 40 years, he retired from ODU with the title professor emeritus.

During his tenure at ODU, he served as the director of the Technical Institute (1959-1964), dean of the Division of Technology (1964-1970) and associate dean of the School of Engineering.

In his spare time, he taught courses in philosophy and history, coached the lacrosse team and played in the symphony orchestra.

“ODU was Ed’s life, and he was as selfless and proud a supporter of that university as you’ll ever find,” said his stepdaughter Susan Miller Degnan.

In 1978, Kovner and his first wife, Kathleen, founded the Edgar and Kathleen Kovner Endowed Scholarship Fund to “give some of our students the hand they need” with a $75,000 donation. The university added to the endowment by matching it.

In a letter of appreciation, then-ODU President Alfred B. Rollins Jr. wrote: “What you have done is a very, very rare thing. The University can have real pride and hope for the future when its own faculty members are willing to invest their hard-earned resources in its mission and its students.”

On top of his demanding teaching schedule, Kovner also found time to help establish a two-year dental school and assisted with the architectural planning of an academic building on campus.

Reluctantly accepting Kovner’s retirement on Dec. 22, 1983, President Rollins wrote: “No one, I suppose, is totally unique, but you come very close to being that in your contribution to this University. You share with Lewis Webb and very few others the honor of having built Old Dominion University almost from the start.”

Kovner remained an avid supporter of ODU athletics until the very end; he was often found watching the “Breakfast with Bobby” show featuring Coach Bobby Wilder on his computer in Florida.

“Ed really appreciated the young quarterback (Taylor) Heinicke,” explained Degnan.

The professor loved books, sports, history, music, his students and his family.

After the passing of his first wife Kathleen in 1992, Kovner married Mildred Miller. His two marriages merged into a family of six children, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Shortly before his passing, Kovner reflected on his 94 years: “I’ve been very lucky, which makes an extremely pleasant life.”

Gary Ruegsegger, gruegseg@gmail.com

Originally Published: