Calvin Synod Herald, 1973 (73. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1973-12-01 / 12. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD In Memóriám —Dr. Charles Eisler In his life time, the name of Dr. Charles Eisler became synonymous with philanthropy — love of fellowman. He had a deep concern for the less fortunate and sought to defend and promote the interest of the businessman. Dr. Eisler died at the age of 89 on October 8, 1973, at his home (377 South Harrison Street) in East Orange, New Jersey. The funeral service on October 11th was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Kosa, a close friend of Dr. Eisler. At the service a eulogy was given by Jack R. Poppele, president of Tele-Measurements, Inc. An active industrialist, engineer, author and philanthropist to the time of his death, Dr. Eisler was president of Eisler Engineering Company, which he founded in Newark, New Jersey, 53 years ago. He was a pioneer in the design and manufacture of glass vacuum lamps, radio tubes and pharmaceutical glassware such as thermometers. He held more than 50 patents for the mass production of glass articles that had been made solely by hand. He was the author of numerous technical papers and The Million Dollar Bend, an autobiography and technical book that also described the lampmaking process he had perfected. His generosity to individuals, many charities, educational and religious institutions and cultural programs was a hallmark of his character and way of life. In 1930 he established a Hungarian weekly newspaper, Neivarki Hírlap. In 1951 Bloomfield College bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Sciences in recognition of his scientific and engineering innovations and for his special interest and generosity, which helped make possible the creation of Dikovics House at Bloomfield College and Seminary. Dr. Eisler was a distinguished member of the advisory council of the American Hungarian Studies Foundation, and in 1966 he was the recipient of the foundation’s George Washington Award. A pioneer in so many ways, Dr. Eisler was truly a pioneer among Hungarian immigrants in America. Having been born near Budapest in 1884, he emigrated to the United States as a brilliant young engineer at the age of 20. Several professional societies also honored him. Among them the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Incandescent Lamp Manufacturers Association, which association recognized Dr. Eisler as “one of the most important pillars of our industry” and as one whose contribution “to the incandescent lamp, radio tube, neon sign, electronic industries . . . have had far-reaching effects.” Surviving are his son, Charles, Jr.; three daughters, Mrs. Martha Leff, Mrs. Ruth Forrest and Mrs. Constance Smith; a brother, Louis, twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The Eisler family has asked friends to contribute memorial remembrances to a favorite charity. Several friends have made memorial contributions to the American Hungarian Studies Foundation. Hopefully, such memorial gifts to the foundation shall be substantial and they shall be designated for an endowed fund bearing Dr. Eisler’s name. August J. Molnár-------------^ ------------------Final Meeting of General Council Distribution of a reserve fund balance of $600,000 and adoption of resolutions bestowing power-of-attorney on the Executive Council of the General Synod of the United Church of Christ highlighted the final meeting of the General Council (continuing corporation) of the former Evangelical and Reformed Church which was held in Philadelphia, Pa., on September 19. The power-of-attorney becomes effective January 31, 1975. An earlier reserve fund distribution of $800,000 was made in November, 1964. This and the final distribution were made in exact accord with the proportionate allocation of funds designated by the General Synod of the Evangelical and Reformed Church for 1960-61. Chief beneficiaries of the recent distribution were the United Church Boards for World and Homeland Ministries, the former to receive $118,320 and, the Home Board $156,600. The sum of $79,140 was allocated to the pension board, with the specification that it was to be used to supplement the pensions of older retired ministers still living who had retired when ministerial pensions were smaller than they are now. An allocation of $38,760 was made to Christian education and publication. Institutions of higher education historically affiliated with the Evangelical and Reformed Church were also beneficiaries of the final distribution. They were as follows: Eden Theological Seminary, $13,080; Lancaster Theological Seminary, $10,560; United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (formerly Mission House Seminary), $4,860. Also eight colleges and two academies: Lakeland (formerly Mission House) College, $5,640; Elmhurst, $9,540; Heidelberg, $7,680; Cedar Crest, $5,160; Catawba, $6,660; Ursinus, $7,080; Franklin and Marshall, $7,260; Hood, $5,700; Massanutten Academy, $1,980; Mercersburg Academy, $2,520. In addition to its proportionate grant of $780, a special grant of $10,000 was made to the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society. Allocations were aproved also for evangelism, health and welfare services, social action, lay life and work, church and ministry, and other phases of the denominational mission and benevolence program, and for miscellaneous purposes of the Executive Council of the United Church. In spite of the advancing years of most members, 18 of the 21 were present and 14 of them accompanied by their wives or husbands. They included Dr. Thomas D. Garner, first vice-president of the corporation, Doylestown,
