Dr. Hazel M. "Rusty" Wacker (May 12, 1911 - April 11, 2004) was professor and registrar at Panzer College of Physical Education and Hygiene in East Orange from 1944 to 1958 when the college merged with Montclair State College. At the latter institution she was professor and served as Chair of the Panzer School department from 1973 until her retirement in 1979. Prior to that she taught physical education in elementary and high school and at the Orange Y.W.C.A. She was waterfront director at the YWCA Camp Lenoloc and at the Girl Scout Camp of Eagle Island.
In 1934 at the age of nine, Jean Elizabeth Wolfe was sent to her first overnight camp at Camp Lenoloc in New York. While at Camp Lenoloc, she formed a bond with Dr. Hazel "Rusty" Wacker, the director of the camp's waterfront and a physical education teacher. Wolfe credits Rusty as the one who inspired her to develop a deep, life-long love of camping, physical education, and water sports.
Born in Newark, Hazel Wacker lived with her family in Irvington and then in Maplewood since 1926.
Hazel Wacker received her Bachelor's Degree from Panzer College, her Master's Degree at Montclair State College and her Doctorate at New York University. She was presented the N.Y.U. Founder's Day Award, the Panzer Alumni Honor Award and the Alumni Citation of Montclair State College. Dr. Wacker served as president of NJAHPERD and was editor of its publication, The Reporter. She was secretary-treasurer for the EDA of AAHPERD, its archivist and chair of its 50th Anniversary celebration. She was awarded the Honor Awards of both these associations and in 1992 was named the EDA-AAHPERD Scholar of the year. She represented the state association at International Conferences held in Germany, Japan and Washington DC.
In the Township of Maplewood she served on and as chair of the Recreation Commission, a member of the Cultural Commission, on the Board of Management of the So. Mountain YMCA, and as part of the Girl Scout and Mariner programs. For several years she played piano and conducted a sing-along for the residents of the Ward Homestead. Her once a month visit for this event also included a short talk on some historical or informational topic. An elder of Prospect Presbyterian Church, she served as chair of its 75th Anniversary Year Committee and Celebration. In 1990 the Maplewood Civic Association presented its Maple Leaf Award to her in recognition of her outstanding community service.
She died on April 11, 2004, at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown.
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