Franklin Whittelsey Wallin

Asheville, NC ~ Born in Grand Rapids Michigan, Wally, as he was known to his family and friends, died unexpectedly at home on Sunday May 21. He was the son of Agnes Sarles Wallin and Franklin W. Wallin and is survived by his wife, Florence Evans Wallin and four children, Susan W. Hively, Thomas E. Wallin, Elizabeth W. Sirot and Franklin Bogue Wallin, twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Franklin graduated from George School, a Quaker high school, in 1942. After a brief time in college he served in WW II, stationed in the Pacific at Okinawa among other assignments in the US Navy. After the war he completed his BA degree at the University of Wisconsin and subsequently received an MA, PhD, and Traveling Fellowship from the University of California in Berkeley. His career in higher education began at Wayne State University teaching European History and included a two year appointment as Assistant to the President. Franklin's life experiences and Quaker heritage led him to devote much of his personal and professional energy to the promotion of world peace and social justice. He took a two year leave of absence in 1964 to become European Director of the International Seminars Program for the American Friends Service Committee in Geneva, Switzerland where he planned and conducted residential seminars for young professionals and young diplomats from countries with conflicting ideological, political or religious beliefs. He became Dean of the Faculty at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, and later served as President pro tern. While at Colgate, Franklin helped initiate the Dag Hammarskjold center for Peace Studies, one of the first undergraduate programs of its kind in the country. In 1974 he became President of Earlham College, a Quaker school in Richmond, Indiana. As President of Earlham, Franklin particularly supported the development of the Peace Studies Program, International Studies, and a value-centered liberal arts curriculum to produce effective citizens in an interdependent world. Throughout his life he was a lover of the sea and adventure. As a friend put it, " ... Wally was a sailor. He and Flo sailed all over the place ---The Great Lakes, The West Indies, as well as a trans- Atlantic voyage to the Mediterranean Sea and back." He enjoyed a cruise off the Florida Coast with his wife and two sons just two weeks before his death. Franklin and Florence have lived in Asheville since 1992. Franklin was active on the Board of the Asheville Art Museum, taught in the College for Seniors Program at UNCA, and served in the Environmental Out Reach Program at Warren Wilson College. Franklin believed in the power of love in all facets of life. Above all he loved his family and they all knew it. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM, Friday, May 26, 2006 at the Performing Arts Center at Givens Estates. (400 Wesley Drive, Asheville, 28803). In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Earlham College (801 National Road West, Richmond, IN 47374).