Arnold W. Preussner

Arnold W. Preussner, age 64, died after a long battle with cancer June 2. With care from Hospice of Northeast Missouri, he was able to remain in his home until his passing.
Arnie Preussner was born in Chicago IL in 1945, the son of Walter and Grayson (Johnston) Preussner, earned a BA in English and History from Luther College in Decorah IA, and an MA and PhD in English from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He served in the US Army in Germany during the Vietnam War. During his long career as a college professor, he taught at Yankton College in South Dakota, Washburn University, and the University of Kansas before coming to Northeast Missouri State/Truman State University in 1988. While at Truman, he taught in the Missouri London Program in England and took full advantage of the city’s wonderful opportunities in theatre, visual arts, and music. In May 2010, he retired from the faculty and was awarded emeritus status.
Arnie Preussner was a dedicated scholar and teacher who published many academic articles, including reviews of theatre performances and scholarly texts. His book, Replaying the Renaissance, was published in 2010 by Naciketas Press. He belonged to numerous professional organizations, including the Missouri Philological Association, Modern Language Association, 16th-Century Studies Association, Shakespeare Association of America, and the Central Renaissance Society. He received a Lilly Foundation Fellowship to study individualized learning systems in Puerto Rico and also was awarded NEH Fellowships for study at Brown University and the University of Southern California. Locally, he was a member of First United Methodist Church and Friends of the Adair Public Library.
In addition to his many academic achievements, Arnie Preussner was a gifted musician-a classically-trained pianist who also played rock and folk tunes, played the guitar, and sang. He remained an avid fan of his hometown Chicago Cubs, despite their usually disappointing records, and translated his knowledge and love of sports into a highly successful Sport and Society course at Truman and participation in local city-league softball. He was an expert in Shakespeare and Jonson who also loved Woody Allen’s movies and classic screwball comedies. He was a wonderful husband and father and a loyal friend.
Arnie Preussner loved life and learning, and he taught important lessons in courage and resiliency. He is survived by his wife, Alanna; daughter, Amy Rodda of Seattle WA; sister, Dee Preussner and nephew, Andrew Parker, both of Wichita KS; and cousin, Lindsey Ashby, of Georgetown CO.
Service to celebrate Arnie Preussner’s life will be held on Monday, June 7 at First United Methodist Church of Kirksville, 300 E. Washington Street. Visitation will be 10:00-12:00 and the service at 1:00.
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Ave.
Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Truman State University Foundation’s Preussner Performance Fund (designed to bring performing artists to campus) and to Hospice of Northeast Missouri.