Penn State Libraries will open at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 10, so employees can attend the funeral of a colleague. The late opening applies to the Pattee and Paterno, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, and Physical and Mathematical Sciences libraries.

Earl Houser Jr., a collection maintenance supervisor, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, March 3, after suffering a heart attack at work.

Several ambulances and medic vehicles were spotted around 12:30 p.m. on Friday at the Curtin Road entrance of the Pattee and Paterno Library. A Penn State spokesperson confirmed that “someone at Pattee was experiencing a medical emergency that required medical attention” and “the patient, an employee, was taken to MNMC by ambulance.” The university didn’t confirm whether the employee experiencing the medical emergency was Houser.

Houser, 60, passed away at Mount Nittany Medical Center, according to his obituary.

“He was dedicated to his department and colleagues,” his obituary reads. “One colleague of many years, Verne Neff, of State College, was also Earl’s best friend. They were working together when Earl passed away. Also, Brent Stump, of State College, was Earl’s longtime neighbor, colleague at work, and very close friend. Earl regularly went above and beyond at work, participating in public relations and community outreach events at the Libraries, and attending many national conferences.”

Houser was born in Bellefonte and worked for the library system since 1988, according to his LinkedIn. He was greatly involved in the community, was an author, and was a Disney fanatic.

“Earl is one of those rare individuals who have meant so much to so many; his family, friends, and colleagues mourn his sudden passing deeply,” his obituary reads.

There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday in Bellefonte, followed by a funeral service. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Our condolences go out to Houser’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.