Dr. Christopher Roy Edginton

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Christopher R. Edginton, Ph.D. (78) who died peacefully on September 3, 2024 with his family lovingly by his side. Dr. Edginton was born on April 12, 1946 in Oak Harbor, WA, to Clifford and Ruth Edginton, who raised their son in the San Francisco Bay Area along with his three sisters Deborah, Carol, and Noelle. He earned his A.A. from Foothill College, B.A. in Recreation from San Jose State College, M.S. from the University of Illinois in Park and Recreation Administration, and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in Higher Education Management.  He was a loving father and grandfather, patient mentor, and trusted colleague to all who knew him.

Known affectionately as "Dr. E" by his students and colleagues, Dr. Edginton was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), where he also previously served as the Director of the School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services from 1991-2010, and as the R.J. McElroy Professor of Youth Leadership. One of the leading academics of his generation in the Parks & Recreation and Leisure Studies field, Dr. Edginton authored 40 books and over 350 articles during his prolific career, which redefined management and leadership concepts in his industry. He never stopped writing, publishing his last article in August 2024, only days before his passing. A strong proponent of the important role that leisure plays globally on life satisfaction, he also served as the Secretary General of the World Leisure Organization from 2004-2014, a career defining achievement. Before accepting his position at UNI, he served as Professor and Head at the Department of Leisure Studies and Services at the University of Oregon, where he became a lifelong fan of Oregon Duck Football. He also served as an Associate Professor at both North Texas State University in Denton, Texas and Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). Earlier in his career he served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation at the University of Waterloo in Ontario (Canada), as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), and an Instructor at the University of Iowa.

Perhaps his most significant career accomplishment, Dr. Edginton was the founder of the Camp Adventure Youth Services program, a service-learning initiative based at UNI that sent undergraduate students across the globe to serve U.S. military and diplomatic families in overseas locations in Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, and dozens of other countries. During the 35-year lifespan of the program, over 20,000 college students participated in the program serving hundreds of thousands of military youth and their families, including many whose parents were deployed during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Known for its empowering motto, Catch the Magic, the Camp Adventure program touched the lives of countless people throughout the world, creating magic moments for all who were part of it.

Dr. Edginton is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Susan Edginton, daughter Carole Edginton, son David Edginton, along with his beloved grandchildren Hanna, Jacob, Joseph, and Lily, and three sisters Deborah, Carol and Noelle.

A funeral service will be held to farewell Christopher at 11:00 am on September 11 at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with visitation an hour prior. Please join the family for a reception immediately following the service in Bethel Hall. Graveside services are scheduled at 2:45pm at Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls. Please visit www.dahlfuneralhome.com to share condolences with the family.