Erbach, Carol Lynne Autman (September 20, 1939-January 13, 2017)
Lynne from Friends High School in Wilmington, Delaware and Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont joined our class in the fall of 1959 and was graduated with us in June 1961. She majored in Speech, was a model for Mademoiselle and participated in the Uncle Sam’s Club, Field Hockey and Young Democrats. She lived in Loose Hall and served on its governing board (Baffleboard). Later she said, “Grinnell expanded my horizon and intellectual pursuits. I am deeply grateful!!”
Her interest in the theater was sparked by acting in the Grinnell College Players’ production of Strindberg’s 19th century play, “Miss Julie.” Her role was Kristin, the cook in a Swedish manor house where Miss Julie (Barbara Hansen Malinauskas ’63), the daughter of the Count, flirts with Jean (Alvah Stanley, ’62), the manservant to the Count and Kristin’s fiancé.
This theater interest was furthered by Lynne’s study in the Theater Department
of Indiana University, which granted her a M.A. in 1964 with her thesis, ”A Study of Creative Drama
Techniques for Children with Delayed Language,” which was published for use as a college reference. IU also awarded her the “Best Actress and Outstanding Contribution” designation.
Thereafter Lynne had an active career in the theater. She acted with the USO in Europe (the farmer’s daughter in “The Pursuit of Happiness”) and Houston’s Alley Theater (1961-63) and served as Artistic Director of The Children’s Theater Association of Baltimore (1963-68) and as Special Advisor to the Maryland Arts Council for children’s theater. From 1968 through 1971 Lynne was Co-Producer, Business Manager and Fund Raiser for Off-Broadway productions, including the popular musical “Dames at Sea” starring Bernadette Peters.
From 1971 through 1991, she was Director, Talent Relations for the Educational Broadcasting Corporation, WNET/PBS in New York City. There she negotiated a $6 million underwriting grant to fund the “Great Performances” series for PBS and WNET/PBS’ acquisition of exclusive television rights for many popular series, including “Nature” and “Theater in America.” She also negotiated production agreements with writers and other professionals and labor contracts with various unions.
In 1992 Lynne formed her own company, Creative Business Consultants, where she engaged in lecturing, teaching and consulting for the Oxford University Press, Miles Educational Films and others.
These accomplishments earned her entries in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who of American Women” and to an “Outstanding Alumnae” award from her alma mater, The Friends School.
In 1984 Lynne married Paul A. Erbach, and in 1999 they moved to her native Wilmington to be close to her aged mother. Lynne is survived by Paul; brothers, David M. Autman and Stephen G. Autman; nieces, Sabra Horvat, Dawn Autman and Lisa Dolph; as well as three grandnieces, Elizabeth Hill and Mackenzi and Madison Semans.
Duane W. Krohnke
