Kathleen S. Verderber

Dr. Kathleen S. Verderber Fischer, went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2026, at the age of 77 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Born in Fairbanks, Alaska on April 20, 1949, Kathie was a life-long learner and teacher. Raised in an Air Force family, Kathie lived in many states throughout her childhood, graduating from Fairborn High School (1967) in Fairborn, Ohio. She continued her education in Ohio, earning a B.A., M.A., M.B.A. and Ph.D. (1971, 1973, 1981, 1984) from the University of Cincinnati in the areas of Speech Communication, Management, and Organizational Behavior. While pursuing her degrees and in the years following, Kathleen was a professor at Miami University, University of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky University, from which she retired. Together with her husband, Rudolph F. Verderber, Kathleen co-authored multiple textbooks in the field of communications, including Inter-Act: Using Interpersonal Communication Skills (14 editions). Kathie always quipped that she loved school so endeavored to never have to leave.

It was at the University of Cincinnati that she met her husband, Rudy, with whom she had an “outrageously happy” marriage until his death in 2019. Across their 46 years together, they lived the most fabulous love story. They raised their daughter, Allison, in Cincinnati and enjoyed their later years in Naples, Florida. Following Rudy’s passing, Kathie had an opportunity for second love with her husband Mike, who brought her much laughter and companionship over her final years.

Beyond her career, Kathleen was active in her community. Over the years, she was a servant

leader within many organizations, including as a member of the Northern Kentucky University Faculty Senate, and as an instructor, facilitator and mentor for the International Leadership Conference at Camp Miniwanca, run by the American Youth Foundation. In Naples, Florida, she participated and led events for Kiwanis, at Covenant Church, and through her women’s Bible Study where she continued her love for learning and teaching.

Although her accomplishments were many, her real gift and lasting legacy is the positive effect she had on the people she met along the way. As a reflection of her deep and enduring faith, she led with her heart, continually opening herself to others. She had a gift for connecting with people, for seeing and understanding them. She listened intently, with her whole heart, and had inherent wisdom, providing sage and excellent advice. She had an answer for every question (and she was almost always right!). Kathie was a mentor to countless individuals, helping them to find and forge their own unique paths with an uncanny ability to inspire people to be the best version of themselves. The impact of her touch, her words, and her deep love and friendship will live on in countless lives and in generations yet to come.

Kathie leaves behind her husband, T. Michael Fischer; daughter, Allison Verderber Herriott (Brian); granddaughters, Louisa and Madeleine; sisters Pamela Peveler (Michael) and Christine Fischer (John); brother John Sheldon (Renee); and a host of other beloved family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Col. John W. Sheldon (Ret.) and Louise Colombo Sheldon, and her husband, Rudolph F. Verderber.