Susan J. Eklund was born June 2, 1939 in San Antonio, TX to parents, Theodore and Jane (Kelley) Eklund. She was the eldest daughter and as she grew up she became a leader in everything she did. She was a professor at Indiana University in Bloomington for 31 years where she received honors. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas, a M.S. in Psychology from Trinity University and received a Ph.D. from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She went on to complete post-doctoral training in Gerontology with studies at Duke University Medical Center, University of Southern California and Ohio State University. She received the Pinnell Award from Indiana University for her distinguished service. Other awards and recognition include The Distinguished Teaching and Mentoring award at IU's graduate school and Charter Fellow for the Association for Gerontology in higher education for contributions to gerontology education. While at Indiana University, she was the Byron A. Root Professor in Aging at the School of Education and served as the Director of the Indiana University Center on Aging and the Aged. Susan was later Associate Dean of Faculties at the School of Education and the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Further, she participated in university service work with the IU Graduate School, University Promotions Committee, and Office for Women's Affairs. Along the way she actively participated in eight professional organizations as well as completing dozens of published works and developed and taught numerous human development and psychology courses as well as directing dissertations. Few scholars have been asked to serve so consistently in elected, appointed, and consultative roles in her field of gerontology. She retired as Professor Emeritus after 31 years at IU and relocated to the Texas Hill County. Eklund actively volunteered in the Meals on Wheels program, KISD's grief program for youth Bridging the Gap, and did volunteer work at Peterson Regional Medical Center. Susan Eklund died at the age of 81 on June, 18, 2020 in Kerrville, Texas.