Gay Israel (1950 – 2016) Department Head, Health and Exercise Science, 1996 - 2014, Faculty, 1996 - 2016
In Memory: Richard G. Israel, who served as department head of Health and Exercise Science for 18 years, was a transformational leader, building the department into a model that is respected nationally for outstanding research, teaching, and service. He passed away on April 16 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 65.
In Memory: Gay Israel
Watch Gay Israel’s 2017 Legacies Project video and learn more about his impact at CSU.
Audio Described Version of Gay Israel’s Legacies Project video (best experienced in Chrome)
Read more about Gay in a full memorial tribute article on CSU’s SOURCE.
Read Gay’s obituary on CSU’s SOURCE.
View a collection of photos of Gay’s CSU career on the College’s Flickr site.
View photos of Gay’s Career Celebration on the College’s Flickr site. The celebration was held on April 21, 2016.
Honoring Gay's Legacy Gay Israel
Message about Gay Israel
“While I’m not a CSU alumnus, I did have the privilege to visit with Dr. Israel shortly after he arrived at CSU in 1996. I first met Dr. Israel when I was a senior at University of North Carolina (Wilmington) and I visited East Carolina University to learn more about their graduate program. I did not have the best grades, but Dr. Israel encouraged me to “hound” him with visits and calls. He told me that my true desire to be a part of the program would help bring my application toward the top. I was one of only four students accepted to the program in 1994. Dr. Israel showed a different level of compassion and instruction when my father passed away during my studies. Dr. Israel made the journey to my home to express his sympathies and encouraged me to take whatever time was necessary to be with my family. At the same time, he challenged me to return quickly, and my thesis and coursework did not suffer. He was a true leader, a compassionate man, and a wonderful friend. He will be missed.”
Line Dempsey (Eastern Carolina University: M.A., Exercise Physiology ’97)
Gay Israel Photo Album
