Susan Baldeschwiler, a dedicated staff member who supported academic deans and provosts for more than two decades, died April 4 at the age of 77. A longtime resident of Mount Vernon who had recently relocated to Minnesota, she worked at the College from 1987 to 2011.
Born Aug. 29, 1948, in Yonkers, New York, Baldeschwiler was the daughter of the late George and Cecelia (Kennedy) Wenz. After completing a technical program at The Mandl School in New York City, she worked at Yonkers Professional Hospital.
She married Fred Baldeschwiler in 1969 and they relocated to his hometown of Mount Vernon, where they became active in the community. She joined Kenyon as a commencement coordinator in 1987 and held several administrative roles supporting academic deans and provosts for the next 24 years, retiring as special assistant to the provost.
Professor Emeritus of Sociology Howard Sacks H’16 P’08, who got to know Baldeschwiler when he served in several roles on Kenyon’s senior staff — including interim provost — called her the anchor of the provost’s office.
“She greeted every visitor with a genuine warmth and personal attention that immediately put everyone at ease,” he said. “She approached even the most challenging situations with a calm and positive attitude that made the hardest days go more smoothly.”
Greg Spaid ’69 H’21, a former provost and professor emeritus of art, remembered her as someone with unfailing instincts who always acted in the best interest of the office and the College.
“Susan was a consummate professional, always to be trusted, always prepared, always taking the right tone,” he said. “She had a very unassuming way of projecting her confidence and authority. People knew they could rely on her. I certainly did. And I miss her.”
Joseph L. Klesner, director of the Center for the Study of American Democracy and a professor of political science and international studies, held a number of leadership roles as a faculty member and associate provost when he worked with Baldeschwiler. He described her as a colleague that peers could always count on.
“Whether you were a faculty member, a department chair, or an administrative colleague, you could be sure Susan would be fair and accurate in representing to the provost your needs and concerns. With a quick, dry sense of humor, she was a joy to work with,” he said.
Outside of the College, Baldeschwiler volunteered and travelled with the Roosters and, in 1980, became a charter member of the Dogwood Blossoms chapter of Sweet Adelines International, the organization of women singers. She held numerous leadership roles with the chorus over the years and sang with several quartets.
Baldeschwiler is survived by her children, Kristin Baldeschwiler (Adam Weston) and Andy Baldeschwiler (Caley Vickerman); a grandson, Leo; her siblings, Michael (Lisa) Wenz and Mary Ann Wenz; siblings-in-law, Jim and Betsy (Baldeschwiler) Zeyen; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends on Monday, April 20 from noon-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. at Snyder Funeral Homes, Flowers Chapel in Mount Vernon. A prayer service will follow the evening visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mount Vernon, after which she will be laid to rest at Quarry Chapel Cemetery in Gambier.