Earl Hart's Obituary
Earl Durwood Hart, Professor Emeritus of Library Science, University of New Orleans, passed away Monday, July 15, 2024 in Gainesville, Florida. He was 85 (on June 14, 2024) Mr. Hart was a native of Vanceboro, NC and graduated from Farm Life High School in 1958.
Mr. Hart is survived by his brother Harry Panichelli of Vanceboro, NC. Born in Durham, N.C. on June 14, 1939, NC, Mr. Hart was the oldest of seven children of Christine Panichelli. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Fanny Hart, and his parents: Christine Panichelli and Eddie Wetherington; his step-father Louis Panichelli and his brothers Jerry Hart, Anthony Panichelli, Joseph Panichelli, Larry Panichelli and sister Janice Panichelli Miller. Mr. Hart graduated from East Carolina University in 1961 with a degree in Education. He was a secondary school librarian at Tarboro High School in Tarboro, N.C. and at Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh. In 1963 he joined the library staff in the Acquisitions Department at East Carolina University. In 1966, he returned to college and graduated from the Graduate School of Library Science at George Peabody College in Nashville, TN, where he worked as a graduate assistant in the Acquisition Department of Vanderbilt University Library. In 1967, Louisiana State University, Graduate School of Library Science awarded Mr. Hart a National Defense Educational Act grant for advance graduate study. In 1968, Louisiana State University in New Orleans hired Mr. Hart to teach Library Science in the College of Education. After retiring in 2000, Mr. Hart worked as a salesman and consultant with Follette Software Company. He worked with school librarians in north Florida and traveled throughout the United States teaching over 250 workshops on computer automation and cataloging using the Anglo-American cataloging Rules Il to regional and state library associations. He also conducted several workshops in Mexico and China. Mr. Hart was a member of the American Library Association, the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, the Louisiana Library Association and the Association of Educational and Communication Technologist. He severed as president of LLA, LASL, and represented Louisianna in the American Association of School Librarians Affiliate Assemble. On campus, Mr. Hart was Director of the Instructional Materials Center and Associate Professor of Library Science. He was elected to the University Faculty Senate, and served on numerous campus and college committees including the Publication Committee the University Library Committee, and the University Media Committee. Mr. Hart also served in the New Orleans Opera Company in a non-singing role: pope, soldier, spear carrier in numerous productions. He also enjoyed traveling and was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit and/or study in: Kenya, Tanzania, China, Vietnam, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Europe and Guatemala. Funeral services will be held at a later date. The family ask that anyone who wishes to offer a memorial to please donate to a Hospice of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Earl?
What’s a lesson you learned from Earl?
Share a story where Earl's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Earl you’ll never forget.
How did Earl make you smile?