School Mourns Elva Eichenwald

Former School Nurse, Mrs. Elva Eichenwald, died on Friday, June 24, at her home in Dallas. Elva served as the St. Mark’s Nurse for sixteen years from 1974 until her retirement in 1990. During her career, she took care of the health issues of hundreds of Marksmen and established the first sex education program and the first chemical dependency program at the School. In the 1980, she began a Middle School peer-support program that was later expanded to students in the Upper School.

“She raised issues that were not necessarily in the program of the School, and she helped get them on the radar,” said Eugene McDermott Headmaster David Dini. “She was a pioneer and had a huge impact on the School.”

Last Spring, the School dedicated the current school nurse’s office in honor of Mrs. Eichenwald. Her sons, Kurt Eichenwald ’79 and Eric Eichenwald ’76, and their families (including three grandsons who are Marksmen) gathered in the Lower School Library with current and former faculty members at a brief reception and then the stories began to flow. Eugene McDermott Headmaster, David Dini, thanked Elva for her years of service and summarized her many contributions to the physical, mental and emotional health of the many Marksmen and faculty whom she ministered to for those sixteen years. Many of the stories he told came from former colleagues, Bob Kohler ’66, Alice Oltrogge, and Larry Cavitt. Former student and current Trustee, David Genecov ’82, spoke for all the alumni and board members in remembering how much Mrs. Eichenwald meant to each of them. A surprise phone call from former science teacher, Stephanie Barta, delighted Elva and the group gathered in her honor. A trip to see the actual plaque outside the nurse’s office rounded out the event.

A memorial service for Mrs. Eichenwald will be held in the St. Mark’s Chapel at the School on Saturday, July 9, at 2:00 p.m.
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    • Elva Eichenwald with son Kurt ’79 and daughter-in-law Theresa at the 2015 Spring Alumni Dinner

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000

About Us

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.