Elizabeth "Lib" Caroline Lane, 98, of DeKalb, Ill., a professor of physical education at Northern Illinois University from 1954 to 1982, died Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, at home in DeKalb.

At NIU, she initiated NIU?s physical therapy program and introduced cadaver anatomy courses. She taught kinesiology, body mechanics, adapted physical education and exercise physiology.

Because of her many contributions, the NIU physical education department presented her with its first PRIDE (Professional Remembered in Deep Esteem) award. At the national level, she was a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Lib was born Jan. 23, 1912, in Baltimore, MD, the daughter of David Lowenstein and Helene Slesinger Lowenstein.

She went to Baltimore?s Western High School, then a public all-girls high school for gifted students. She then attended Ithaca College on a scholarship, majoring in physical education. She earned her master?s and doctorate degrees in exercise physiology from New York University. She also earned certification in physical therapy from Stanford University.

While Lib was a head counselor at several camps and worked as a registered physical therapist at Kernan Hospital in Baltimore and New York Rehabilitation Hospital in New York, she spent most of her long career in higher education.

Before coming to NIU, where she taught for 28 years, she taught at Fairfax Hall Junior College, Averett College, Southern Seminary College and Sarah Lawrence College.

Lib?s commitment to NIU and to her profession is evident in her philanthropy. She endowed both a fund for exercise physiology laboratory research and a professorship in the NIU Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. She also endowed scholarships at Ithaca College, her alma mater, and at the University of Miami as well as a professorship at the Mayo Clinic for medical education and research.

Lib was a long-time member of Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb, a member of the Kishwaukee Health Foundation Legacy Foundation and a founding member of the Heritage Society of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Survivors include M. Nadine Zimmerman and Arlene Newman, friends of over fifty years, and the many students she taught and mentored, including Dr. Phoebe Wienke and David Erickson.

A graveside service and burial will be at Hebrew Friendship Cemetery in Baltimore on Monday, January 10, at 2 p.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date at Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Shalom in DeKalb or to DeKalb County Hospice.

Arrangements were entrusted to Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home, 310 Oak St., DeKalb, IL 60115. Visit www.ronanmoorefinch.com to send an online condolence; 815-758-3841.

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