The Claude H. and Ruth L. Trexler Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established at Catawba College with a gift from the estates of the late couple. The scholarship will be awarded to needy students who desire to become teachers in Rowan County.

The late Mr. and Mrs. Trexler were natives of Rowan County. He was a 1932 Catawba College alumnus who died in 1992. She was a graduate of N.C. State University, and a longtime public school teacher who died in 2002.

The late Mr. Trexler completed graduate work in school administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after earning his bachelor’s degree at Catawba. A long- time educator, he taught and was a principal in the Rowan County schools for over 42 years. He had worked at Faith, Dukeville, Cleveland and Bostian schools and was a member of NEA, NRTA, Classroom Teacher’s Association, and the N.C. Principal’s Association.

Mr. and Mrs. Trexler were members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and were active in all church activities. She had been church secretary, treasurer, pianist and primary department superintendent. She also taught the Young Ladies Sunday school class and was a member of WELCA. He was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher for a number of years, as well as a former member of the Luther League, men of the church, and the church choir. He had also served on the church council and the building committee for the new church. Additionally, the Trexlers were instrumental in organizing the Golden Age Sunday school class at St. Peter’s that Mr. Trexler taught for many years.

The Trexlers are survived by an only daughter, Joan Trexler Rusher, and her husband Bob L. Rusher, both longtime supporters and alumni of the College who most recently provided funding for the Rusher Locker Room in Catawba’s new Hayes Athletic Field House. Survivors also include four grandchildren, Bobby II and Joseph, both of Salisbury, Lori Rusher Pope of Pleasanton, Calif., and Kristia Rusher Chatham of Cornelius, and 10 great-grandchildren.

“This family has a long history of supporting Catawba College and assuring that future generations of students can enjoy the same sort of educational experience that they had here,” said Catawba College Senior Vice President Tom Childress. “We are especially grateful for the forethought and planning the late Mr. and Mrs. Trexler made to endow the new scholarship named in their memory.”

The Claude H. and Ruth L. Trexler Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established at Catawba College with a gift from the estates of the late couple. The scholarship will be awarded to needy students who desire to become teachers in Rowan County.

The late Mr. and Mrs. Trexler were natives of Rowan County. He was a 1932 Catawba College alumnus who died in 1992. She was a graduate of N.C. State University, and a longtime public school teacher who died in 2002.

The late Mr. Trexler completed graduate work in school administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after earning his bachelor’s degree at Catawba. A long- time educator, he taught and was a principal in the Rowan County schools for over 42 years. He had worked at Faith, Dukeville, Cleveland and Bostian schools and was a member of NEA, NRTA, Classroom Teacher’s Association, and the N.C. Principal’s Association.

Mr. and Mrs. Trexler were members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and were active in all church activities. She had been church secretary, treasurer, pianist and primary department superintendent. She also taught the Young Ladies Sunday school class and was a member of WELCA. He was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher for a number of years, as well as a former member of the Luther League, men of the church, and the church choir. He had also served on the church council and the building committee for the new church. Additionally, the Trexlers were instrumental in organizing the Golden Age Sunday school class at St. Peter’s that Mr. Trexler taught for many years.

The Trexlers are survived by an only daughter, Joan Trexler Rusher, and her husband Bob L. Rusher, both longtime supporters and alumni of the College who most recently provided funding for the Rusher Locker Room in Catawba’s new Hayes Athletic Field House. Survivors also include four grandchildren, Bobby II and Joseph, both of Salisbury, Lori Rusher Pope of Pleasanton, Calif., and Kristia Rusher Chatham of Cornelius, and 10 great-grandchildren.

“This family has a long history of supporting Catawba College and assuring that future generations of students can enjoy the same sort of educational experience that they had here,” said Catawba College Senior Vice President Tom Childress. “We are especially grateful for the forethought and planning the late Mr. and Mrs. Trexler made to endow the new scholarship named in their memory.”