Eileen Evelyn (Schmidt) Tatman

Eileen Evelyn (Schmidt) Tatman, age 78, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 26, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born on September 21, 1943 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Edwin and Viola (Gerstner) Schmidt. Eileen was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, Ohio and All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington, Ohio.

She is survived by her daughters, Amy (Dan) Robins and Lisa (Mike) Graber and her grandsons, Conner and Cameron Graber.

Eileen graduated from Lincoln High School in Gahanna, Ohio in 1961 with honors and from Capital University in Bexley, Ohio in 1964 with a bachelor of science degree in biology and chemistry. She also received a certification as a medical technologist from Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. She continued her love of learning by taking many continuing education courses at The Ohio State University.

Eileen’s career as a medical technologist spanned over 37 years beginning at Riverside Hospital. She continued her dedication to the medical profession in the Critical Care Laboratory at The Ohio State University Hospitals where she retired after 29 years.

Throughout Eileen’s journey she felt a strong calling into the life of service where she traveled on many mission trips including Haiti. After retiring at the age of 66, Eileen joined the Peace Corps and lived in a small village in the Western Usambara Mountains in Tanzania, Africa for 27 months. She served as a health education extension advocate at the local medical clinic providing health care education to the local and surrounding villages. Her personal projects were to complete the installation of electricity to the clinic and to raise money for modern medical equipment that would provide improved health care to the local villagers. Eileen left her village with a vastly improved medical clinic all while learning the native language of Swahili. Upon her return to the United States, Eileen was inducted into the Gahanna Lincoln High School Hall of Fame for her life of service.

Eileen was an avid gardener who loved to travel the world, but her favorite time spent was cheering on her grandsons, Conner and Cam, at their many sporting events. By far, her greatest joy was spending time with family. Her adventurous spirit, her love and devotion to her faith, family and friends will live on forever. Eileen will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 4 to 6 pm at the Schoedinger Worthington Funeral Home, 6699 North High St., Worthington OH, 43085. A private memorial service will be held for the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Eileen’s memory can be made to the Peace Corps at www.peacecorps.gov/donate.