Dr. Edward Herman Schiller, 80, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Santa Barbara and Roslyn Heights, died on Aug. 22, 2002 in Sarasota. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Roselle Lind, who died in 1991 in Santa Barbara, CA.

Dr. Schiller was born May 28., 1922 in Brooklyn, son of the late Miriam and Murray Schiller. After graduating from Boys High School in Brooklyn, he worked in his father's paint business and attended Brooklyn College until WWII interrupted his education. He enlisted in the US Army, attaining the rank of Sergeant, was selected to attend the Army Specialized Training Corps at Oregon State University where he studied Russian language and culture. He met Roselle Jean Lind on the campus and they were married in 1944 in Evanston, IL. Soon after, he went overseas to France and Germany, serving in the Signal Corps of the 70th Division in Germany and being awarded a Purple Heart.

In the spring of 1951 he bought a house in the Country Club section of Roslyn Heights, participating fully in the life of the community. His wife Roselle was a member of the Levitties, a 1950's neighborhood dance and theater groupm abd fir tears was a substitute teacher at the Wheatley School, which all three children attended. Returning to work with his father in retail business, he attended college at night, receiving his Ph.D. from St. John's University (NY) in African History (1964) and winning a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Nigeria. After his return, he commenced a whole new career in teaching at Nassau Community College, Garden City, where he was promoted to full professor and head of the History and Political Science Departments. Amongst his many accomplishments, he published articles, contributed to several books on African history and became the director of International Studies for the State University of NY (SUNY). He also became involved with the NC Democratic Party, participating in many campaigns countywide and in the Town of N. Hempstead as a political advisor. A member of the Ethical Culture Society (new Ethical Humanist) of LI, he was an early participant in the campaigns and marches for human dignity and civil rights in the 1960s.

After 17 years of teaching, he retired to Santa Barbara at the young age of 57, but never found the "rocking chair." He became a beloved professor of thousands in the Adult Education program at SBCC called "The World in Focus." Utilizing the films of a lifetime of travel with his wife Roselle to over 100 countries, he taught the history of the world to his students piece by piece. He will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor in the classroom and most of his students followed him from country to country and lecture to lecture. He actively participated in the life of the community and belonged to many organizations including the Santa Barbara Council on Foreign Affairs and the Sister Cities Program.

A cherished husband, father, grandfather and devoted friend to many, he is survived by his second wife, Evelyn of Sarasota, a long lost childhood friend whom in married in 1993; his daughter Leslie Fisher (Michael) of Santa Barbara; his sons, Lanning (Lee) of Boulder, CO, and Laurence (Cathy) of Deerfield, IL; stepson Steven Gross (Joanne) of Huntington and stepdaughter Nancy Isseks (Ted) of Liberty, NY; and by loving grandchildren, Devon Schiller, Ian (Michelle Montez), Danielle and Sean (Sheetal) Fisher, Jenny Gross, Jerald and Mac Isseks; and two sisters, Isabelle Horowitz (Herbert) of Sarasota and Barbara Aronsohn (Jim) of Punta Gorda as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed's family and friends considered him to be a rare, precious human being, full of love, warmth, wit, depth, deep reverence for family...a consummate teacher with a strong sense of social justice, humanistic values, always with an indomitable passion for the "world of ideas" and learning who touched and influenced all who knew him. He was a magnet, drawing close everyone that he came into contact with. Everyone wanted to be his friend and many of his friendships spanned 65 years. We all love him dearly, will carry him with us in our hearts always and will miss him forever more...

The family requests that any memorial contributions be sent to Nassau Community College Foundation, 1 Education Dr., Garden City, NY 11530 or to Adult Education, S.B. Community College, 310 W. Padre St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 to honor his commitment to education.