Losses in the CIE Family
Updated December 16, 2012

Honoring CIE Members who have passed on

One of the inevitable consequences of CIE's long history is the increasing frequency with which members pass on. Several recent losses have sparked wide-spread reactions from the CIE network and we want to have a place where their lives can be honored and remembered through the eyes of those who knew them.

We will be posting selected comments that we receive along with a short obituary statement when we can get that information. Other suggestions are welcome. Send comments, pictures or whatever to CIE.

Note: There are others who have passed on earlier about whom we have little infomrationc. If you have information about earlier losses, please send it along, since we may not have it.

Elvyn Jones-Dube 2012
Russ Dilts 2011
David Styles 2010
Eloy Anello 2009
Don Graybill 2008
James Mangan 2008

Kay Pfeiffer 2008
Menzi Mthwecu 2005
Mansour Fakih 2004
Leon Clark 2003
James Dawson 2003
Norman Hiza 1999

Elvyn Jone-Dube (Ed.D. 1984)
( - November 14, 2012)

The following is taken from a very moving obituary posted by Irma McClaurin, a friend of Elvyn.

Elvyn said it was her interaction with the African students at Lincoln that changed her life. She wanted to know more about their lives and their countries. Those she met didn't fit the stereotypes with which she had grown up. And she wanted to leave America. She considered herself a discontent, who could not tolerate the racial injustice with which she had grown up.

"I first met African [students] at Lincoln University and it had a huge influence on my life. I was one of the disgruntled ones. I'd grown up in Philly, and Philly had little to offer Black people—racist. [We lived] ...under Mayor Rizzo who made no secret of his dislike of Black people."

Upon graduating from Lincoln University, Elvyn Jones joined the Peace Corps and lived for two years in Botswana, where ironically, she could witness racism and white supremacy ideology at play again in the form of South African apartheid right next door. She loved Botswana, though she felt it was tough being a woman there. Some glimpses of what she meant can be seen in the HBO series starring Jill Scott, The Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. The images of Botswana's landscape are breathtaking, and the show takes on lots of issues: HIV-AIDs, beliefs in magical practices, straying husbands, and domestic violence.

My life intersected with Elvyn's in 1974 when she and I met in graduate school at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Elvyn completed her coursework for the doctorate in Education, and returned to Botswana to complete her fieldwork and research.

She married, as did I, and we both had sons for our first born. We remained in touch over the years. I visited her in London, received gifts of chocolate from Belgium, and followed her travels through the occasional letter.

After 1996, we lost touch. She was reinventing herself as a psychotherapist studying at the Anna Freud Institute in London. It wasn't an easy time according to her. She was "the only one"— a Black woman and an American.

"I met a lot of opposition. I was the only Black woman, I was the only American. They took their whiteness for granted. And it wasn't always easy."

She prevailed and completed her training and eventually returned to the U.S. where she discovered that foreign credentials are not recognized, and so Elvyn completed a Masters in Social Work so she could practice.

Click here for the full version.

Elvyn and I decided to marry while she was at UMass, and I was studying in England. A few years later she took me to Springfield to visit her beloved university, accompanied by our three young children then. She left a lifelong attachment to UMass , to the many friends at the Centre for International Education and the local community. I would therefore like that her passing be communicated to as many friends as possible.             Alfred Dube - Elvyn's husband

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Douglas Russell Dilts (Ed.D. 1989)
(January 12, 1952 - October 15, 2011)

Russ Dilts passed away suddenly on Saturday, October 15, 2011, while in the field working on a community development initiative in Bener Mariah, Takengon, Aceh. Russ spent more than 30 years in Indonesia leading development initiatives ranging from adult education to farmer extension to community-based natural resources management. He was known and loved by his friends and colleagues for his unique ability to inspire us to achieve more than we thought possible of ourselves. Russ was firmly committed to the rights and dignity of all people, and his work provided voice to millions of farmers and rural poor to organize and achieve a better life.

Douglas Russel Dilts grew-up in Augusta, Georgia, and graduated from Stanford University in 1974. He first came to Indonesia with Stanford’s Volunteers in Asia program. He served first as a volunteer and then as VIA’s Indonesia organizer. He then worked in Indonesia and Thailand with World Education. In the 1980s, while completing his doctorate in International Education at the University of Massachusetts, he was actively engaged in Indonesia’s emerging NGO movement.

Russ then developed, led and managed the UN-FAO’s largest field training program that reached rural farmers across 12 Asian countries through Farmer Field Schools on ecological agriculture. The Farmer Field School approach is now being applied in over 80 countries. More than 2,000,000 farmers learned ecological agricultural practices leading to greater yields and reduced reliance on pesticides through farmer field schools. These ‘schools without walls’ created a paradigm shift in agriculture extension, empowering farmers as trainers, researchers and leaders.

This work is being continued through FIELD, which he co-founded in 2002 with his friends and colleagues. Most recently, Russ was the Regional Coordinator for USAID’s Environmental Services Program in North Sumatra.

Russ married Wahyu Setyowati in Solo in 1985, and together they raised 5 children, Bayu Indra Kusuma Dilts, Bima Desap Ardianatal Dilts, Bondan Ageng Paramitha Sari Dilts, Bagas Yudhistira Dilts, and Bagas Punto Dewo Dilts. Russ is also survived by his two sisters, Barbara and Martha. He was buried in San Diego Hills Cemetery, Karawang, West Java.

Some personal reflections from his friend John Pontius (Ed.D. 1989) who lives and works in Indonesia.

Russ was in Takengang, Aceh, a mountainous region in south-central Aceh.  This was Saturday, mid-day and there was some free time.  He and a colleague set off to climb a hill to catch a view.  Russ, would not walk up a hill, and this was a steep one, he attacked any challenge.  His colleague failed the challenge, but Russ won out, then his heart failed him.

Russ had been doing intensive fitness for the last several years, this included running 5 kilometers 3 times a week.  He was in good shape, so this comes as a shock.

Russ and I have been share owners in a boat for over 10 years together, we fished, did fitness played golf, drank, worked and read the books of our days. The picture shows Russ on a recent fishing trip. Russ was very proud of
that fish.  We caught two like that on the same day.  I caught the first one so Russ was trying hard.  We were in multiple conversations. Those conversations are at an end.

Those who would like to send condolences to the family may do so through John Pontius ( <ponijo.pontius@gmail.com>)

 

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David Styles (Ed.D. 1995)
( - October 27, 2010)

The Foreign Service Institute’s Leadership and Management School is deeply saddened to report the passing of our dear friend and colleague, David Styles.  An Alabama native, a generous and gentle soul, David touched countless lives across the globe.  He died of brain cancer on Wednesday, October 27.

David began his work at FSI in late 1999 and was the recipient of multiple Meritorious and Superior Honor awards.  Prior to joining FSI, David spent many years doing international development work before coming to FSI.  He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, from 1974-76.  After returning to the U.S. to obtain a graduate degree in Agricultural Extension from the University of Tennessee, he ventured to Africa, where he worked as a Lecturer in the School of Agriculture at the University of Swaziland.  He also worked for the Academy for Educational Development in Botswana.  

Altogether, he spent five years in Southern Africa.  He returned to the U.S. and pursued a Doctorate in International Education and then returned to the Pacific Islands and Peace Corps, where he was first the Program and Training Officer, and later the Country Director, for Peace Corps Micronesia, and also served as the Program and Training Officer and Country Director for Peace Corps in St. Lucia, Eastern Caribbean.   In total, he had 21 years of Federal service.

All of us who had the good fortune to work with or know David valued him as a respected colleague and a caring man. 

He is survived by his wife, Patti; his three daughters, Meghan, Kristin, and Elizabeth; and two granddaughters, Kalani and Sienna.  Our thoughts are with them, and the larger community he touched, during this difficult time.

From his wife Patti:

On October 27th, surrounded by friends and family, David Styles peacefully passed away. As many know, David battled brain cancer. For the past three years he defied his diagnosis and continued to live a full life. He worked at a job he loved and spent time with friends and family, traveling as far as Qatar to visit his grand kids, this past spring.

He will be forever loved and missed, by his wife of 33 years, his daughters, granddaughters, and all his family and friends.

A memorial service for David was held at the Church of the Nativity on October 30th, in Burke Virginia. Eulogy by Dan Gerber delivered at the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Save the Children, - he liked the low administrative costs!

Condolences and messages for the family can be sent to Dan Gerber (gerber@schoolph.umass.edu)

 

David (McCurry) & I (Bonnie Mullinix) have sweet memories of our overlapping time at CIE (1983-1995): The big ideas, the grounded practice, the ever present kidlets... the best of times, in so many ways. I think one way we mark our time and contributions to this world is through our work another is through our families, children and friends.  The grand reward of doing work in international and domestic education and development is that you know you are making a difference.  The reward of family and children, well... that is self-evident.  Your contributions have been substantial on all these fronts:  a legacy of good work that will continue to contribute... a family that will carry your stories forward... and a large network of friends and colleagues built with care over many years.        
      Bonnie Mullinix & David McCurry bbmullinix@gmail.com & david.mccurry@gmail.com

Looking at the names of the people on your e-mail list has made me reflect on how fleeting life is.  There was a circle of friends that I saw every day for so many years and we shared so many ideas and dreams.  And then we all went our different ways.  I didn't stay in touch very well, and life moved on for all of us and some passed on.  I wish it were possible for us all to go back for a few hours to relive a day at a Center retreat.  Although we can't go back, in my heart of hearts, I do believe that it's possible for us to have reunions with friends in the next life
      Joan Dixon joan.dixon@comcast.net

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Eloy Anello (Ed.D. 1997)
(May 14, 1946 - October 2, 2009)

Eloy Anello Rodriguez leaves behind his wife Shiva Anello, his daughters; Shade and Shadi, sons (eldest) Troy Bennet Anello, Nicolas Anello and Christopher Anello. He also leaves behind his brother Francisco Rafael Anello and sisters Rose Anello and Elizabeth Carrera.

He was raised in the East Bay of San Francisco in the city of Hayward, California.  He completed his Bachelors degree in Latin American Studies at the University of California, Hayward.   He went to Puerto Rico and completed a Masters degree in Public Health, at the University of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  He finally completed his doctoral degree at the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

He lived in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, South America since the early 1970s.  His major accomplishment was the founding of a private university (with his brother Francisco Anello), in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  Universidad Nur opened up in 1985 and this higher institution helped to advance the health and educational system in Bolivia.  In addition the university was the first to provide extended education to women and teachers in the villages in the jungles and mountains of Bolivia. He was instrumental in developing a program for moral leadership which has become part of the curriculum of the university. His dissertation at CIE was based on an evaluation of that program and its impact on local community leaders.

All of this accomplishment was due to his membership in the Baha’i Faith since 1965.  He was able to overcome social and economic challenges and was able to travel and help many others to overcome their own personal issues. In the end he was able to leave this world in the best of spirits.  He said that the only thing keeping him from continuing his service was that his body was not cooperating.

It is normal to be saddened by his passing on to the next world, but he said that we should be of high spirits because leaving this world is as one entering through a door to a wonderful world of peace and beauty.  He kept saying that he was anxious to meet all those that preceded him in leaving this physical world.

A service for Eloy was held on Saturday, October 3.  Prayers and commentaries were offered by friends and family.  Eloy had prepared most of the service and each of his children had selected prayers by Eloy to read. At noon on Saturday, October 3, 2009 his was buried in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, South America according to Baha'i burial laws.

For an obituary in Spanish click here.

Condolences and messages for the family can be sent to his brother Francisco Anello (anello1@gmail.com)

Those who wish to make a donation to help the family should contact Crystal Baker Shoaie ( cbshoaie@gmail.com)

 

I’m very sorry to hear about Eloy’s passing. He was the one who told me about CIE and urged me to apply to the Center when I was planning on going to Paris to study arts…  I’m very grateful to Eloy for inspiring me to apply my artistic tendencies to development work and his support at the time (1985) to re-direct my attention to education and empowerment of the most disadvantaged populations anywhere in the world—the work Eloy was doing throughout Latin America -- where I met him, at the time he and his brother Francisco Anello were founding Universad Nur in Bolivia.  

 Flavia Ramos  framos@lsi.fsu.edu

 

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Don Graybill
( - August 26, 2008)

The following statement has been released by Creative Associates.

We are deeply saddened by the news of Don Graybill’s passing on August 26, 2008. Don was in Jakarta serving Save the Children as Chief of Party of USAID’s Indonesia Decentralized Basic Education III project and had only recently been joined by his family. He was 55. For many of us, Don was not only a colleague but also a friend, mentor, and teacher. He provided a wonderful example of commitment and professionalism for those of us who worked with him, and his sense of humor and joyous demeanor will be sorely missed.

Don’s career took him to countries around the world, working for Creative Associates, Save the Children, and the Institute for Training and Development among other agencies. He was also on the adjunct faculty at American University. Don received his PhD from the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts. Prior to his position with Save the Children, Don was a Senior Associate with the Education, Mobilization & Communication (EMC) Division at Creative Associates as well as the Project Director of the Basic Education & Policy Support Activity (BEPS), an Indefinite Quantity Contract with USAID/EGAT’s Office of Education. Under Don’s leadership, BEPS implemented numerous educational initiatives activities including policy assessments, multi-year projects in Zambia, the Philippines, and Central America and Child Labor activities in West Africa and the Americas.

Don leaves behind a loving family-wife Magdalena and sons Bryan (13) and Ben (10). Creative knows and loves Don’s family. As a gesture of appreciation for all that Don has contributed to Creative Associates and the international education field, Creative Learning, a 501(c) 3 non-profit institution, has established the Don Graybill Memorial Fund and is accepting donations through November 1st to collect funds for his family. A receipt will be provided for tax purposes.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Don Graybill and his family.

The Don Graybill Memorial Fund  How to make a donation:

• Via check made out to Creative Learning with Don Graybill Memorial Fund written in the Memo line and mailed to 5301 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20015 attn: Carola Mandelbaum - CarolaM@creativelearning.org
• Via credit card by phone at 202-772-2106 or at Creative Learning’s office in Suite 550

Memory Book We are compiling a memory book for Don's family. If you would like to contribute your personal reflection, memories, or pictures please e-mail: graybill.memorial@gmail.com, by Friday, November 7, 2008. If you have already sent in your personal reflections to Gail Snetro-Plewman, Chloe O'Gara, or the UMASS website be assured that these will be included in the Memorial Book.

Messages from friends of Don Graybill

I am trembling as I let the news of Don's death sink in and cannot imagine how Magda and the boys are dealing with this colossal loss.  Don was a huge figure in my life, having pointed the way to Amherst for me from Quito, Ecuador.  He is largely responsible for my cross-pollination of the unforgettable and hugely rich CIE - ITD experience (those of you who've done it know what I mean).  This past year, just before he went to Indonesia, Don and I spoke a couple of times at length about retooling our careers and exploring new ways to contribute to social transformation.  We shared stories and insights from the trenches of social justice work, community development, non-formal education, and violence prevention.  I am already searching for the notes from those conversations, which were quintessential Don....full of wisdom, self-reflection, wit, and warmth.  What a huge loss for his family, for us, and for the forces of change in the world.  For those who knew and loved him around the world, I extend my arms in condolence. 

Mishy Lesser – Boston   mishylesser@gmail.com

Since having been informed of Don's untimely and regrettable passing in Indonesia, I've gone through waves of weeping. Words cannot fully express my feelings. But I remember one of the oddest experiences I had with Don in Arizona.

I call the event our "Jack-In-the-Box" nightmare.  It was around 1985 and Don and I were in Arizona setting up ITD's first "Western training outpost."  ITD would run numerous USAID training programs from Arizona and folks like Don, Manolo Sanchez, Kathy Searle and Mario Acevedo were the usual rotating trainers who travelled there.  I, the native Arizonan, was the local anchor who handled all logistics and toured folks around Arizona.

In preparation for our first training program -- 40 Mayan community leaders from Guatemala -- Don and I were the only ITD folks in Arizona responsible for pulling all logistics together in very short order.  It was the middle of an exceptionally humid Arizona summer and not a time when one wants to spend alot of time running errands.

We stopped at a fast food spot -- Jack-In-the-Box to grab a quick lunch and make last minute arrangements.  We had a pile of food in front of us to share --  tacos, fries, burgers, drinks.  I was relaxed thinking I had nailed down most everything until Don started jotting down a "Things Left To Do" list.  Five pages later he started reading back to me litany style all that had been left undone. My eyes got super wide - shocked at the level of detail in his list - how could anyone think of so many little things left to do, I wondered. He looked at me through his rimless glasses as if to say "How could you not think these things are important to get done before the group arrives?" I started freaking out realizing we had only 24 hrs before the group arrived.

Picture this -- we looked like two Keystone Cops -- I jumped way out of my seat, told him to hurry up, gathered up all of the uneaten food ready to trash it all -- told him we had NO time to eat (hard for him to take) and we'd need to work through the night to get all of his list done. We left Jack-In-the-Box in a flash with our lunch uneaten. He was sorry he had brought it up. We spent the rest of that hot and muggy afternoon criss-crossing busy streets and ticking off tasks from his unnecessarily long list.  I didn't let us eat until 12 midnight.

Jennie Campos - Arizona   jencampos@aol.com

Karla and I were shocked to receive your email here at  home in Connecticut. We cried; I slept fitfully last night thinking  about Don Graybill. It is truly hard to believe he has passed on, even though  several other people have also contacted us with the news.
 
His sense of humor and optimism and hard work always  stick in my mind. We always traded emails addressed to "Donster" and "Seanster"  during the whole time we worked together at Creative Associates, and these  several years thereafter, and  email subject titles became  humorous book titles or phrases containing his name ("Comes the  Don", Don Breaks Over Marblehead"). Now the book title above, "And Quiet  Flows the Don," seems appropriate, for Don now flows quietly around us in  spirit, but still lifting others' spirits in memory. Our hearts and  thoughts and love go out to Magda, Bryan, and Benjamin.
 
Don and I have traded emails fairly regularly over the  years, especially during his time in Indonesia, a country I know well.  His emails were always complimentary and  gracious, and full of news on the challenges that faced him in Indonesia. One of  those emails came to me just two days before his passing (August 25) and  his thoughts on the complexity of Indonesia and not being sure "what the Fates  have in store for me" ring sadly now. Here are the last few sentences of that  email:

DONSTER TO SEANSTER August 25, 2008
"I am in project overload, so what else is  new?  We are downgrading from one path to another, retraction back to a  smaller scope.   Feeling a bit overwhelmed with not a enough time to  make friends, or to spend with family.   I can do what I can, and no  more.  Not sure what the Fates have in store for me. Indonesia is, as you deftly put it,  'complex'."
 
Cheers from  afar,   Don  
 ......................
To Don, who taught me  much, we hope you hear our "cheers from afar". We are with you and you are with  us. Don once forwarded to some of us the attached verse, Indra's  Net, from the Rig Veda

There is an endless net of  threads throughout the  universe.
At every crossing of the threads there is an  individual
And every individual is a crystal  bead.
And every crystal bead reflects not only the  light
from every other  crystal in the net but also every other  reflection
throughout the universe.

To Don: your crystal  bead shines on and reflects in all of us.
 
With Cheers, and  Tears,
 
Sean  Tate - Connecticut   SeanATate@aol.com

Thanks for letting us know about this sad news indeed.  I am still in shock about the news.  Don was special person and friend for a lot of us, so his passing comes as very unexpected news.  I will try to send my condolences to Magda Graybill, but I don't know if my message will reach her. Let us know if there are further news about how to reach the family in Indonesia or Texas/USA.
 
Manolo Sanchez - Managua, Nicaragua    manolosanch@hotmail.com

Don's death is a sad event and great loss. Working with Don, I admired the complete attention he gave to sensitive issues. He went out of his way to be fair, to share his own concerns and feelings, to understand those of everyone involved, and to protect those under his responsibility from injustice. He was also so kind and friendly, and he brightened the day with many laughs as we worked. My sincere condolences to all those who loved him.

Jeanne Moulton - Palo Alto    jeanne.moulton@gmail.com

I just heard about Don’s passing late last night. As you know Don and I co-taught courses in international ed at American U for almost ten years until he left for Austin and Jakarta, and we worked at Save for many years before that. I can’t believe what has happened. And I am concerned about Magda and the boys. Margaret M, Chloe OGara and I will be thinking about a memorial service for Don in DC at a decent interval after the family returns and hope Save, Creative, CIE and AU can all be represented.
Congrats on the 40th and hope this moves into a being a good year, energized by the ‘release’ of some of Don’s amazing energy.

Michael Gibbons - USA    mjgibbons@starpower.net

I am very sorry to hear about Don's passing. My heart goes to his family, relatives and friends. May the Almighty God find a place for him in eternal peace and happiness. My condolences to the CIE family. Lots of greetings and best wishes from Morogoro Tanzania.

Hilda Kokuhirwa Sinkonde – Tanzania  osodo@aol.com

I am sorry to pass along the news that Don Graybill died yesterday in Indonesia.  I have not details yet on what was the cause.  I had lunch with him three weeks ago in Jakarta.  He seemed fine to me.  He was really well regarded by all Indonesia.   I can begin to say how sad this makes me.

Steve Anzalone - USA   SAnzalone@edc.org

I knew Don at the Center in 1980 to 1982.  He was so much fun -- a great positive force, full of insights, ideas, energy.  We had a blast in the "Nonformal Education Techniques" course, in which a number of us made puppets out of socks, milk jugs, etc.  (Don's was a little sock person named "Taco.")

Because our work went in different directions, I never worked with him in the field, but I'm sure that he brought the same positive and creative energy to all that he did.    My wife, Olga (who was also a friend of Don) and I are -- like everyone -- shocked at the news of his passing and sad for the family he left behind.  The consolation: a life about as well lived as anyone could hope and a great legacy and example to help the rest of us keep moving ahead with the work we do.

Paul Jurmo - USA    pjurmo@comcast.net

When I heard of Don's death it took my breath away.  Here at Creative Associates, we have shared our sadness at Don's passing and now have had time to also share some memories.  Snippets of our remembrances paint a picture of a warm and very caring man who was so full of life ... his booming voice, his ready laugh, his love of the Red Socks, his openness and willingness to share, his deep caring about his work, his kindness, and his excellence as a teacher.  Don always found time for a colleague or friend in need. Some staff lovingly described him a big softy.  He wanting to be the best dad that he could possibly be.  We miss him.

Larry Lai - USA    LarryL@caii.com

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James William Mangan
(6 December 1943 – 8 August 2008)

The following statement was released by RTI at the time of Jim's death:

James Mangan, passed away Aug. 8 in Perth, Western Australia. Mangan was 64 at the time of his death. The funeral took place on Friday, Aug. 15. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and children. He is remembered by colleagues in Indonesia and elsewhere for both his skills as a leader and his friendship with those who worked with him.

Mangan had been working in Aceh, Indonesia as a provincial coordinator of RTI's Decentralized Basic Education 1 (DBE1) program before succumbing to cancer in Australia, where he made his home. Mangan joined RTI in 2006, bringing with him an impressive resume as a development expert, including some 20 years of experience working in the Indonesian education, local government and agriculture sectors. Over the course of his career he led or consulted on many donor-funded projects aimed at helping the people of Indonesia.

"Jim did an outstanding job representing USAID and RTI in Aceh for the past two-and-a-half years," said Dan Moulton, who was Mangan's manager for the DBE1 program. Noting that numerous international donors have been active in supporting Aceh's rehabilitation and recovery from the December 2004 tsunami, Moulton said, "Several of these donors have many times the funding of DBE1, but Jim's professionalism and the skills and experience he and his team brought to the education agenda are valued as highly by stakeholders as the largest contributors. His staff will dearly miss his leadership and friendship."

Excerpts from the Eulogy at his funeral. (Full text available here)

...In 1971 James returned to the US, and from 1973, for the next five years studied at and worked for the Center for International Education at the University of Massachusetts, bar one year working on a UNESCO project in Maluku and Irian Jaya, Indonesia. At U Mass in 1977, James attained his Masters degree in Education, and was awarded a Doctorate in Education in 1981. James came from field experience, to theory; and then forever back to the field, applying his new learning in service to humanity.

Professionally, James was an education, curriculum development, training, communications and management specialist;  project manager; program director;  and advisor. These roles were in the domains of education, regional planning and management, land use planning, and Integrated Pest Management.  He worked for national governments, governmental aid agencies, national universities, international NGO’s, and the international institutions: UNESCO, the World Bank and the FAO. A colleague described James as an educator who touched so many minds and became the trainer of many, many generations of teachers and trainers.
...
James was courageous. He was sincere, genuine, honest and truthful. He did not believe in ‘face’ and ‘fronts’, and Indonesians found this intriguing.  A friend commented, James was always “apa adanya” – “what you see is what you get”…no need to decipher his words or intonations. A colleague recalled at Provincial Coordinator’s meetings, I often look forward to hearing Pak James’ two cents, because they were funny and refreshing!  James had a huge, deep belly laugh. If something wasn’t funny, he would not laugh at all. He was fondly known for his dry…and sharp sense of humor.

It is one thing to talk; it is another to do what you say.  There was no gap between James’ talk and walk, nor his walk and talk.  A colleague describes him as an unbreakable worker who always completed the given task. Always, without fail. He was responsible, accountable and trustworthy. ...

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Kay (Katherine) G. Pfeiffer
( July 23, 1957 – May 1, 2008)

Kay Pfeiffer joined the Center for International Education community in 1987.  Prior to returning to academia, she served in the Peace Corps in Botswana and with a youth program in Boston. It was clear from the beginning that Kay would bring humor, intellectual curiosity, and a talent of critique. She won the hearts of Anna Donovan and Barbara Gravin Wilbur through her kindness and willingness to always pitch in where she was needed adding her own special brand of humor. Cleverly, she endeared herself to David Evans through her great editing skills and her ability to do publication layout better than he could. Fellow students admired her for her wit, caring and her genuine interest in their stories. She was a good friend who cultivated good friends.

Kay’s dissertation, Using Historical Narrative as a Tool for Organizational Analysis: a Twenty-five Year History of the Center for International Education is a historical narrative of the Center's development, contributions and struggles through the eyes and voices of its students and faculty. There is a legacy captured in the 300 plus pages unavailable to most longstanding institutions and for which the Center is grateful.  While in Amherst she worked for the Workplace Education program at the University of Massachusetts and the National Priorities Project in Northampton.  Additionally, Kay was a key player in the development of the Center for Community Education and Action (CCEA), a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Peter Park from UMASS to promote the practice of participatory research in Western Massachusetts. She took the lead in establishing CCEA as a nonprofit; writing proposals, staffing the office, and designing and facilitating training throughout Western Mass. CCEA organized conferences, hosted visits and seminars by Paul Freire, and provided training services to human service organizations on community-based training and Freirean methodologies. She also volunteered to support homeless people in Northampton.

After graduation, Kay worked for CARE, USA in Atlanta for 5 years before moving to Florida to be near her family, particularly her nephew who held such a special place in her heart.  Prior her illness, she worked with local NGOs serving disadvantaged youth. Kay never lost her spark or her sense of humor. During her final stay in the hospital, she remarked that David Evans must be jealous, because the CIE reunion was happening around her bedside!

Memorial service at Skinner Mountain for Kay Pfeiffer
during CIE's 40th anniversary Celebratory Conference.

Messages from friends of Kay Pfeiffer

Kay died early this morning after sleeping peacefully through the night.  She had recently been move to a very nice hospice and she felt at piece there.  She spent a good weekend with her old friend Sue Thrasher. Sue, Kay and I lived together in Amherst for years.  Her friend Penny Rust from CARE also stop by over the weekend, and every faithful Eugenie Ballering also a friend from Amherst spent many hours by her side in the last few weeks of her life.  Hours that I wish I could have also spent.

Please write me if you have any questions. If I have wrong emails and/or there is someone you can forward this to, please do. We are hoping to plan a memorial service for her in Amherst sometime in mid June.

All my best

Jane Benbow - Cairo   jbenbow@air.org

I deeply regret that I am unable to attend.  However, with surgery on Tuesday, June 17th, I need to take things slowly!  Hopefully, you understand.

Please give my fondest regards to Jane and to Mark Lynd (who both visited in my name) and also to Mary Jeannot.  I hope that someday each of you will come visit, call me or whatever.

I hope that Carol will share with me whatever you send her.  A check for the Center in Kay’s memory is enclosed as well as what I would like you to read.  I hope it’s not too long.  The other two things are what I read to Cliff’s friends who visited me at home. You may use them if you choose-in addition to what I’ve written about Kay.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for planning this closure in memory of Kay.

Fondly,

Marguerite Pfeiffer (Kay's mother).

Kay was a dear friend and though we were out of touch for years (except for a recent visit), I still have many fond memories of her, poking fun at David Evans in "Development Theories" class, drinking me under the table at The Pub, dancing to Youssou Ndour at the Iron Horse, sharing Thanksgiving with her family in Boston, and mostly, being a good, loyal friend.

I will miss her,

Mark Lynd - California   markrobertlynd@yahoo.com

I too had many memorable times with Kay--Friday nights at MHC immediately come to mind. I am very sorry to have lost touch with her after our road trip to the West coast. She did, after all, set me up with Jeff Hazen, my current husband on 32 Fruit Street, Northampton. She was a dear friend who helped me through some tough times. Thank you Kay.  
 
Mary Jeannot - USA

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Menzi Melrose Mthwecu
(Oct 24, 1961 - May 2, 2005)

South African born Menzi Mthwecu died in May 2005, following a tragic automobile accident. Menzi joined the CIE in 1989 as a doctoral student and his dissertation was on “The Role of Trade Unions in Adult Basic Education and Training: A Case Study of the National Union of Mineworkers in South Africa”.  After receiving his Ed.D. in 1996, he returned to South Africa where he provided invaluable assistance to the Trade Union Movement.

Menzi’s death was regarded as a significant loss to South Africa’s industry.  Through his efforts to transform South Africa’s Mining Industry he was able to make important contributions in the areas of education and policy, and he served in decision-making roles.  His work included crafting mining policies aimed at improving the lives of mine workers.  Following his passing, and in recognition of his service, the Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Lulu Xingwana said, “We wish to pay the tribute to the late Dr Menzi Mthwecu, the former CEO of the Mining Qualifications Authority.  He was a hard working, selfless cadre, leader, organiser, and educator and dedicated to bettering the lives of the poor.”

As a result of his work and leadership roles Menzi emerged as one of the few blacks to penetrate the predominantly white mining industry in his country.  He played a major role in founding the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and served in the capacity of CEO.  The MQA is a SETA (Sector Education & Training Authority) for the Mining and Minerals Industry in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998.  MQA's mission is to ensure that human resource development is a reality in the industry, by establishing, administering and promoting Learnerships and skills programme.  As a member of the MQA, Menzi was involved in finding ways to address the needs of women in the mining industry.

For a word document containing correspondence and other information click here.

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Mansour Fakih
(10 October, 1953 – 15 February, 2004)

Mansour Fakih passed away in Indonesia on February 15, 2004, leaving behind his wife Nena and his sons, Farabi and Fariz. He was a highly respected social activist in Indonesia and at the time of his passing he was a member of the Indonesian NationalCommission for Human Rights (Komisi HAM).

While at the CIE, Mansour obtained both a Masters degree (1990), and a Doctoral degree (1995) in Education. His Doctoral dissertation was entitled “The Role of NongovernmentalOrganization in Social Transformation: A Participatory Inquiry in Indonesia”. During 1993-1996, he served as the Country Representative for OXFAM-UK/I in Indonesia, and later as a senior consultant at Resources Management and Development Consultants (REMDEC) Jakarta 1997-2002. In September 2003, he worked with the Institute for Training and Development (ITD), Amherst, on a program for a group of Indonesian leaders of Pesantrans. Mansour was also the founder and director of the Institute for Social Change and Transformation (INSIST ) in Jogjakarta.
 
Mansour’s many roles and accomplishments include that of author, translator, and public speaker. Examples of his intellectual contributions on the issues of gender, globalization and human rights are “Born in the wrong era: Amidst globalisation, can East Timor still be a people's alternative?” and “Analisis Gender dan Transformasi Sosial (gender analysist and social transformation”.  In her tribute to Mansour,  Karen Campbell-Nelson wrote: “Pieter [Elmas] realized that Mansour was like a book that is always open, will always be open, that welcomes anyone to read and draw valuable lessons from experience working for shared goals”.

For a Word document containing messages of condolence sent at the time of his passing and an extended biographical statement about Mansour's life please click here.

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Leon Clark
(November 15, 1935 - October 25, 2003)

In October 2003, Leon and his wife, Maria, were sightseeing at Great Falls, MD when Leon suffered an unexpected aneurysm and died on October 25.  He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Maria Donoso Clark and by his by his stepson, Giri Clark.  In addition to the funeral service that was held for Leon in Washington, Maria also organized a special gathering at their home in Virginia on November 15, to celebrate his work.

Leon was the founder of the ITEP program at American University where he spent 17 years as a professor. Prior to joining the CIE he had held a number of positions in the field of International Education.  His love of international education grew from his years of teaching and community development work in Bangladesh, India, countries throughout Africa, and elsewhere.  In his role as the deputy director of the Governmental Affairs Institute in Washington (GAI), D.C., Leon administered rural development programs overseas and he undertook direct responsibility for the training and evaluation activities. As a CIE student, Leon conducted research for his dissertation onPopulation Education in American High Schools: Towards a Theory of Application.  Before his passing, Leon had a fellowship at his alma mater, Yale University, to write a bookexploring the intersection of the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths.

Long interested in diverse cultures, Dr. Clark wrote his first textbook, Through African Eyes, in the early 1970s. The book, a detailed study of African cultures and studies, led to others: Through Indian Eyes, Through Chinese Eyes, and shortly before he died, he and Bob Pearson (Ed.D. 1977) finished editing the 4th edition of their book, Through Middle Eastern Eyes. The books became part of the Center for International Training and Education's World Culture Series for college and high school social studies classes.

The following words from Through African Eyes capture what was perhaps the central commitment of his teaching and beliefs

Indeed, ethnocentrism is universal. Everyone begins life in a particular culture, learns how to behave in that culture and will probably continue throughout life to view reality through the lens of that culture. There is nothing inherently wrong with this type of enculturation. Without it we would fail to learn the rules of human social behavior. We would be lost in our own culture and we would probably lack any perspective for viewing other cultures. After all, we have to begin somewhere. But to impose our rules on others -- to assume everyone should want to see life the way we do -- is an injustice to other human beings. Moreover, it is a false assumption that distorts reality, making it impossible to develop anything even approaching an objective understanding of other cultures. Maintaining an unself-critical ethnocentric stance has the effect of distorting 'the other'. We end up, as the Chinese say, simply seeing 'what is behind our own eyes.'...The goal is to counteract the negative distortions of ethnocentrism by looking at [other cultures] from the inside out, rather than from the outside in. Only by trying to accept other cultures on their own terms -- by listening to their own explanations of why they function as they do -- can we fully, if ever, understand them. (November 2003)

For a Word document containing messages of condolence sent at the time of his passing please click here.

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James Dawson passed away on December 6, 2003 in Madison, Wisconsin. "JD" was a doctoral candidate in CIE in the late 1980s and early 1990s where he is remembered for his insightful wit in class and his boundless energy and support for others. He last returned to Amherst for CIE's 25th anniversary celebration. The words below are from his obituary.

JD's quest to discover the world and the diverse people in it reflected the career path he chose. On completion of his Master's degree he entered the Peace Corps. As a Peace Corps volunteer, he spent time in a kibbutz in Israel and went on from there to the State of Maharashtra, India. As a Peace Corps volunteer in India, JD established a poultry project and a community library. After returning home from the Peace Corps he moved to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands where he managed businesses and organizations for eight years. He then became a Foreign Service Officer and returned to the Peace Corps as a Director in the Fiji Islands and later in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Three years later, he became the Overseas Director for Oxfam America in Boston, working on programs in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas. His career as a "Citizen of the World" continued even when he moved to the corporate sector where he served as Vice President and International Market Development Director for American Breeders Services (ABS) in DeForest, Wisconsin. This position provided wonderful opportunities for him to work and experience life and the different cultures of several countries in Eastern Europe and China. JD's untimely death occurred while he was serving in Bangladesh as the Chief of Party of ATDP, a Louis Berger Economic Development Project between the United States Agency on International Development (USAID) and the government of Bangladesh.

JD lived life passionately and lived in the moment. He thought of himself as a citizen of the world. "I am a Globalist" was his favorite answer, anytime he was asked for his country of origin. His goal was to visit as many countries and interact with as many different cultures as possible. At the time of his death he had visited 90 countries and interacted with people from so many different cultures that his reports were beginning to sound like "stories," except that he had pictures to back him up. He derived great pleasure in watching immigration officers go through his passport to find his visa for whichever country he was trying to enter. His passport was three times as thick as the normal American passport. He had this wonderful ability of immersing and comfortably living in whichever culture he happened to find himself.

JD's whole life was dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of people all over the world. Before he started out on his journey to help people around the world, he was a civil rights activist fighting for injustice in America and a union organizer to fight for the rights of blue-collar workers. James Melvin Dawson, Jr. leaves footprints in the "sands of time" in America, Africa, Asia, Europe and other parts of the world. Hence, all those lives he warmly touched, will mourn their loss and celebrate his life.

For a Word document containing messages of condolence sent at the time of his passing please click here. An obituary from Peace Corps can be found here.

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While enrolled as a doctoral student at the CIE, Norman Hiza passed away on January 7, 1999.  Norman’s wife Rehema and their daughter, Aisha, accompanied his body back to Tanzania for burial in his father’s village.  A memorial service for Norman was subsequently held in Pelham Massachusetts - see Eulogy..

In his home country Norman had served as an educator and also as an officer in the Tanzanian Army during the conflict with Uganda.  In May, 1989, having completed his dissertation on “Youth employment: An analysis of the problem and possible solutions in Tanzania, Kenya, and Botswana”, Norman’s graduated with his masters degree.  As a CIE member, he played a pivotal role in CIE’s Tanzania Project.  This project focused on strengthening the teaching of science, math and English in the secondary schools of Tanzania.  The CIE was appreciative of Norman’s contribution to this project, and especially for the wealth of experience that he brought as an educator.

For a Word document containing messages of condolence sent at the time of his passing please click here.

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