Volume 61, Number 22    February 17, 2014         

Eugene Lionel Zwillinger
Professor Emeritus of Counseling Eugene Lionel Zwillinger died Jan. 8 at the age of 79, after a year and half battle with cancer. Born in New York City, he graduated from New York University and received his Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis. Zwillinger joined the Counseling Department at SF State in 1964. Over the next 35 years, he used his roles as professor and department chair to influence the lives of many students and helped people realize that they could do good in the world using a skill that one student recently described as "being able to identify and cajole the flame that burns deep within others, long before they could see it for themselves." His activities in support of students during the 1960s gained him great respect and friendships.

Zwillinger was an artist and used retirement to refine his talents as he created stained glass artworks, developed unique table design techniques, used his fine carpentry skills to build furniture pieces and applied his skills as a master gardener. He leaves a legacy of fine creative work that will be enjoyed by future generations. He will be remembered mostly for his warmth, passion, creative and inquisitive energy and ideas, as well as his quick wit and wonderful humor.

He will be deeply missed by many, but especially by his survivors: wife, Lesley; sons, Marc and Joey; daughter, Rachel; granddaughter, Maxine; sister, Lenore Brooks; nieces, Nanci Skolnik and Carol Brooks; and three soon-to-be born grandchildren.

Zwillinger was an ardent supporter of Doctors Without Borders and the American Civil Liberties Union; contributions may be made to either organization in his name in lieu of flowers.

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Last modified February 13, 2014 by University Communications.