Paul R. Ziegler

HOLDEN - Dr. Paul R. Ziegler of 8 Birchwood Drive, Holden, died on Sunday, January 27, 2008 at the age of 69, after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He leaves his wife of 44 years, Josephine D. Ziegler; three sons, Paul E. of Needham, MA, Drs. Christopher J. and wife Mayumi Kikuchi of Akron, OH, Justin M. of Pasadena, CA; one daughter, Anne Ziegler Krakow and her husband Jonah T. of Philadelphia, PA; one brother, Charles H. of Maplewood, N.J.; granddaughters, Marina C. and Elena A. Ziegler, and Julia K. Krakow; an aunt, Jean Tyrer and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A brother, George A. Ziegler predeceased him.

For over 40 years, Dr. Ziegler was a professor of history at Assumption College where he specialized in modern European and British history. He also devoted much of this time to German and Holocaust studies. He received his A.B. degree from Fairfield University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Fordham University. He attended the New York University School of Law and studied at the University of Londons Institute of Historical Research and Harvard University. In addition to his long tenure at Assumption College, Dr. Ziegler was an adjunct instructor at Fordham University and a visiting professor at the University of Dallas-Rome Program. As a scholar, he authored two books: "Lord Palmerston" (Palgrave, 2000) and "Joseph Hume: The Peoples M.P." (The American Philosophical Society, 1985¬) as well as several articles and book reviews including articles for "The Biographical Dictionary of Modern British Radicalism" (Harvester Press, 1984). Most recently, he has contributed articles to the "New Dictionary of National Biography" (Oxford University Press). He was the recipient of several grants from National Endowment for the Humanities.

At Assumption, he served as the Chair of the History Department from 1970 to 1974 and then more recently from 1994 to 2003. During this time period, Dr. Ziegler served as chair of some the Colleges critically important committees, including President of the Faculty Senate, and as a member of the Colleges Evaluation and Search Committees. He formerly served as the Secretary–Treasurer of the Northeast Conference on British Studies and was an elected member of the Royal Historical Society.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Ziegler was an advocate for children with disabilities. He was a volunteer for the Massachusetts Easter Seals Society, a member of the Societys House of Delegates, a member of its Public Policy Committee and worked for the Massachusetts Easter Seals annual fund drive. In 1991, he was named a member of the Massachusetts Governors Task Force on Turning 22 Programs for Disabled Persons. He also was a member of the Department of Mental Retardations Human Rights Advisory Committee.

Dr. Ziegler was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church. He was for many years a member of St. Georges parish council, a lector and Eucharistic minister, a member of its Adult Education committee and chair of its Liturgy Committee. He also taught in its R.C.I. A. Program. In 1976, he was named a Worcester Diocesan representative to the New England Bishops Conference in Holyoke, Massachusetts and from 1983 to1990, Dr. Ziegler was a member of the Board of Education for the Diocese of Worcester, serving as its chair for one term. For many years, he worked on the Bishops Fund drives and, in 2004, was named a recipient of St. Georges Parish Ministry award.

Avocationally, he counted himself fortunate to be a member of the Salisbury Singers, and to spend the greater part of his free activity playing basketball with his students and colleagues and anyone else who would put up with him.

Relatives, friends and colleagues are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 31st, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. The funeral for Dr. Ziegler will be held on Friday from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Georges Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in St. Johns Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Massachusetts Easter Seals Society, 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.com