Eula W. (Tingle) Fresch

of Cranston RI passed away on Saturday, February 15 at Briarcliffe Manor, Johnston RI. Eula was born in Lexington KY, the daughter of the late Walton E. and Eula S. Tingle.  She is survived by her husband, Glenn W. Fresch and son, Glenn David Fresch, both of Cranston RI.  Also surviving Eula are her sister-in-law and “sister”, Linda Jean Cameron of Columbus Ohio; brother-in-law, Donald L. (Diane) Fresh, Port Hueneme CA; nephew, John Christian (Debra Sue) Freter of Dublin OH; niece, Katina L. Sayers of Tully NY; great nephew, Johnathan C. (Tara Lynn) Freter of Bethel Ohio;  great niece, Victoria K. Freter of Bowling Green OH and great great niece, Madeleine Mae Freter, Bethel OH.  Eula grew up in Bedford KY, a small farming community midway between Cincinnati OH and Louisville KY and attended the Trimble County Schools in Bedford.  Her father operated a farm supply business while her mother was a public high school teacher and, later, a librarian. Eula spent a lot of time with her paternal grandmother who taught her to sew and cook. Early on in her marriage, Eula sewed almost all of her own clothes.  The Tingle family was very involved in the Bedford Baptist Church where eventually Eula became an assistant to the organist, choir director.  Eula played the piano and electronic organ at the time. She graduated from Georgetown College, Georgetown KY with a BA in English and a minor in organ performance.  While studying for her MRE (Master of Religious Education) at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville KY, she was the organist for a local Baptist Church in the Louisville KY area. She sang in the Georgetown College chorus. After completion of her MRE, she taught in the Louisville KY public schools for one year. Eula met Glenn at the First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor MI early in the fall of 1966. She was an elementary school teacher in the Ypsilanti MI public schools, and he was a student at the Graduate School of Business (now, Ross School of Business) of the University of Michigan. They married the next spring in the Bedford Baptist Church, Bedford KY.  Part of their courtship involved study time and teacher preparation at the library of the Business School. In the summer of 2016, they returned to Ann Arbor and reminisced about the earliest days of their time together. Upon completion of Glenn’s studies, the couple moved to the Hartford CT area.  Eula taught elementary grades in the Simsbury CT public schools for four years.  She worked entirely with gifted children and found the experience to be very rewarding. The couple last resided in West Simsbury CT. They were active members of the First Baptist Church, West Hartford CT where they were involved in Boards and Committees. Eula completed her Masters in Elementary Education at Central Connecticut State College (now, University), New Britain CT during this time. In 1976, the couple moved to Paoli PA where they were members of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Berwyn PA, and Central Baptist Church, Wayne PA  Eula served on Boards and Committees of Central Baptist. Their son, David, was born in 1978. Eula completed her Ed.D.. in Elementary Education at Temple University, Philadelphia PA in 1987and served as adjunct faculty at three area colleges. She was employed 1987 - 1989 as a Program Associate and Editor of the Department of Ministry with Children, American Baptist Churches, USA, Valley Forge PA. Eula also was a writer of Interdenominational curricula published by the Judson Press; In addition, she wrote a chapter in the book, Children Together, as well as primary level curricula for Judson Press. In 1991, the couple moved to Rhode Island.  Eula joined the adjunct faculty of Rhode Island College in 1992 and became an Assistant Professor in 1994.  In 1998, she became an Assistant Professor at Salve Regina University, Newport RI and an Associate Professor in 2004.  Her book for teachers – Connecting Children with Children Past and Present – Motivating Students for Inquiry and Action – was published the same year. She was involved in the ATE (Association of Teacher Educators) and in the regional and national NCSS (National Council of Social Studies) organizations. Eula wrote and reviewed articles for professional publications and was involved with Committees of the NCSS.  She also served on Committees of the College and University. Eula particularly enjoyed the field experience aka student teaching where she worked with the supervising school teachers and the student teachers. Eula enthusiastically embraced her work and made a difference. Eula accepted the train hobby of Glenn and David. and traveled with them on many of their adventures. The idea of a children’s book about the now missing caboose on the rear of freight trains emerged, and some of the train travels involved finding restored and repurposed cabooses, interviewing their keepers and photographing the cabooses and the caboose people.  A draft of Whatever Happened to the Little Red Caboose sets on Eula’s work shelf awaiting further attention. Eula enjoyed serious music and regularly attended orchestral, wind band and choral concerts with her husband and son. A special treasure in the family’s life was the Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam CT where they enjoyed many musicals over their CT and RI years. During their time in RI, Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, Cranston has been the couple’s church home.    Eula served on Boards and Committees as well as in the adult choir. Eula was a kind, caring wife, mother, friend and teacher whose presence will be missed but not forgotten.

A memorial service – a celebration of Eula’s life – will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Phillips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston RI 02910. The Rev. Wesley A Smith will officiate.

In remembrance of Eula, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Philips Memorial Baptist Church, 565 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston RI 02910 or Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter, 245 Waterman Street, #306, Providence RI 02906