THOUGHTS ON ELDON SCHOLL...
PATRICK INNISS
Eldon will forever represent the essence of the Rationalist Society of St. Louis: seeking, striving, questioning, growing, teaching and learning, challenging and preserving. Eldon practiced these every day in his support (too weak a word, actually) of the Rationalist Society.
Eldon was a good Rationalist for the same reason that some others might be good Baptists or good Buddhists: an overriding love and respect for humanity. In comparison with his religious counterparts, however, Eldon's love of life and the world around him was purer and more sincere, because he appreciated exactly why he felt that way. Eldon hated pollution, and, appropriately, his opinions were always totally unpolluted with superstition. But beyond this love and respect for life and all nature, Eldon was distinguished by an uncommon devotion to honesty. On this most essential level, that of dealing fairly and openly, Eldon was absolute and uncompromising. While Eldon welcomed diverse opinions and always seemed to enjoy intellectual exchanges, he was never inclined to curb his self-expression for any reason. He thought too much of the human mind and the importance of frank discourse to do that. Eldon had the sort of respect for humanity that only other freethinkers can truly appreciate.
I regret not having known earlier about the work that Eldon and other Rationalist were doing. I have truly enjoyed and gained from my somewhat belated contact with them. Eldon's enthusiasm was infectious. The work of the Rationalist Society was, as Eldon viewed it, not important just to its members, but to society in general. Eldon wanted to spread the word, to enlighten others, and let them, as he did, appreciate the true beauty and potential of the human intellect, unencumbered by superstition and fear. I am confident that upon the foundation Eldon helped put in place we will eventually succeed in effectively presenting the message of secular humanism, Rationalism, or even eupraxophy, if that is what you wish to call it, to which Eldon dedicated so much of his life.
STEVE BEST
Eldon Scholl has been one of those few individuals I recognize as having influenced my thinking in a very meaningful way. His thought about the character of freethought and resulting ideas about science and nature I have found to be stimulating to my own thinking. He helped me to advance my own philosophical development as a freethinker.
But Eldon provided me with more than intellectual advancement. He has been a true friend with whom I felt a very comfortable association. He was an individual with whom there existed a mutual understanding and agreement. This type of friendship is not often found.
Eldon was helpful to me in a third way. He helped teach me the value and art of race walking, a form of exercise that is both helpful and enjoyable. I know he was much more dedicated to this avocation than I, but he was a fine teacher to emulate.
Eldon an I had our minor disagreements such as the merit and use of the word eupraxophy, but this kind of disagreement was within the context of clear understanding and we could see the humor in this form of minor disagreement.
Others have now picked up many tasks and burdens that Eldon had shouldered by himself over many years. These people carrying on his work would have been less able and less willing without the example set by Eldon in his lifetime.
We all remember Eldon in different ways: his dedication, his humor, his concern for the environment, his and Norma's willingness to share their beautiful home. We will continue to remember Eldon as our daily activities reflect what we have learned from him.
BARBARA STOCKER
I had the privilege of knowing Eldon for five years. He greatly enriched my life by sharing his resources, knowledge of freethought and friendship.
One can perhaps understand Eldon better by thinking about a statement he made of himself on his license plates: "I WALK." Of course it was an allusion to racewalking, his favorite sport, in which he was frequently a winner and always a serious competitor.
"I WALK" can characterize Eldon in anther sense: his approach to life. Those who walk know where they are going and keep moving steadily toward their goal. So it was with Eldon. He alway kept sight of his goal of promoting RationalIsm whenever and wherever he could, whether it was building the Rationalist Society, publishing Secular Subjects, managing "The American Rationalist" or exchanging ideas with others.
Those who walk are able to carry more burden than those who run. Eldon always carried more than his share, treating Rationalist activities as a full-time job. Over his lifetime, he put in countless hours on projects too numerous to list.
Those who walk are not seeking glory or recognition, but only reaching their destination. Eldon never craved the limelight, but worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, for perhaps too little appreciation and recognition.
Eldon could have been proud that he walked. We will miss him as a leader and friend.
J.F. HORNBACK
Eldon Scholl was one of the most friendly yet critical non-members I met upon coming to St. Louis as leader of the Ethical Society forty years ago. We agreed that what was needed in the human search for truth and values was more reason and science, not less, and not the popular emotionalism and intuitive certainty of religion, as claimed by some in the Ethical Society and by the misleadingly named new "Humanistic" Psychology. -
But Eldon also objected, as I did not, to the large and formal assemblies of the Ethical Society. He and Norma did join happily in the informal discussions and meetings in homes of the old (first called "Young") Couples Club.
Rationalistic humanists should all be grateful to Eldon for bearing the organizational load of the Rationalist Society, usually as treasurer and editor of Secular Subjects. As a life member of the national association, he also bore the brunt of publication and circulation for "The American Rationalist" magazine, aiding present editor Gordon Stein, a busy science professor, and aided in turn by his able and dedicated wife, Norma.
Eldon, largely self taught after Beaumont High School, recognized and deferred to the program skills and talents of others, from the book service of fellow worker Walter Hoops (now transferred to Raub Marx of Illinois) to the speakers and guests on "Freethinking 101", the cable TV program he helped produce. He always worked hard on events--on exhibits and booths, trips and tours, and food and hospitality, for Rationalists as well as for the Sierra Club, Senior Olympics (a champion race-walker), and other organizations and causes for which he cared.
Even in his last illness, which he bore with a continuing zest for science and nature and friendship devastating to typical theological critics, Eldon was a model of Rationalism.
WALTER HOOPS
I have known Eldon for many years. We were associated in the Rationalist Society, the Rationalist Federation of America and "The American Rationalist," a magazine we founded with the help of other freethinkers in 1956. When I heard of the Rationalist Society in the 1940's I went to a meeting to explore. I was already a members of the German Freie Gemeinde, which was for many years the leading German freethought organization in this country. It was then in decline. I also had joined the Ethical Society because I had belonged to a similar organization in Germany. I was looking for a more outspoken and aggressive organization in matters of religion. Although the Rationalist Society did not come up to my expectations, I stayed on because the members were a congenial group and because it became instrumental in the founding of "The American Rationalist" magazine of which Eldon became the managing editor for many years, ably assisted by his wife, Norma. It was Eldon who kept up the connection with our readers and Life Members. Eldon also published Secular Subjects, the organ of the Rationalist Society.
To me the outstanding qualities of Eldon Scholl were his modesty and perseverance. He was modest to a fault. When some Kansas City freethinkers presented him with a plaque to show their appreciation for the work he had done, he was almost embarrassed. And when a few months ago when we had a memorial meeting for Robert G. Ingersoll at Creve Coeur Lake I thanked him for making the arrangements, but he acted as if he had nothing to do with it. But Norma and I knew better. I wanted to thank him not only for this particular meeting but also for keeping the Society itself alive for all those years.
Eldon's perseverance was proverbial. He spent time and his own money to keep the Rationalist Federation going. So much energy had gone into this group that he could not accept its dissolution. Eldon Scholl was unique. I will never forget him.
