Changed by 9/11: Eileen Eichler, Professor

On Sept. 11, 2001, Eileen Eichler nervously waited to hear from her husband Fred, who was on the 83rd floor of the north tower when the first building was hit.

"My life has been profoundly changed by the World Trade Center attack," said Eichler, the dean of the School of Business at back in 2001.

Fred was rescued and escaped just before the building collapsed, but that day dramatically impacted many facets of their life.

"Since that time, Fred has had persistent health issues," she said.  "Eventually, his health concerns caused me to step down as the dean of the School of Business at Farmingdale State College, as I needed to spend more time with him."

Today, she still teaches at Farmingdale State, but the couple has relocated to Manhattan and has made other lifestyle changes.

"I do not travel as often, preferring to stay closer to home," she said. 

She added that they have gotten much closer to their immediate and extended family, and that family "has even greater meaning for us than before."

"I look more warily at the world," Eichler said. "Fred and I view each and every day as a gift."

This story is part of Patch's "How did 9/11 change you?" series. Share your personal story in the comment section below.