In Memory

Mervin Whealy

Mervin Whealy was born May 11, 1939 in Wellington, Kansas and died on March 11, 2020. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Emerson Whealy and his mother, Norma Claire Wood Whealy.

He is survived by his former wife, Nancy Car Whealy, and his son, Nathan John Carr Whealy of Lansdale, PA; his brother, Scott Whealy (Nancy), his sister, Sammie Whealy, his brother, Perry Whealy (Joyce); nieces, Kim Kennemer (Shawn), Krista Whealy, Jennifer Haskins (Will), Maryan Reddig and nephew, Paul Victor Whealy and many great nephews and nieces.

At age seven his family moved to Riverbank, CA where his father worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1950 they moved to Bakersfield.

Mervin was graduated from Fruitvale Elementary School, East Bakersfield High School, Bakersfield College, Fresno State College (BA, MA), Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC (MTH), Wake Forest University (MH) and a PHD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, majoring in American Colonial History.

He taught school in Bakersfield at Millie Munsey, Longfellow and Eissler School. Upon graduating from UC Santa Barbara, he taught for the Alan Hancock Junior College, Orange Coast College, Santa Ana Junior College and the University of Nevada - Reno.

In 1978, Mervin began a career of teaching history and economic courses on military bases for the University of Maryland. He taught in Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Europe, the Azores Islands and on Kwajalein Island. He taught one year in the Philadelphia, PA schools.

He retired in 2015 and moved back to Bakersfield. He passion was education and was preparing at long last to begin writing a book on the Annapolis Convention of 1786. At age 11 he professed belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in the fall of 2019 which eventually took his life.

He requested no funeral and will be cremated. 

Published in Bakersfield Californian on Mar. 14, 2020



 
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03/25/20 04:50 PM #1    

Susan M Sykes

It is with great sadness to learn of Dr. Whealy's death. He was one of my "partners in crime and rebellion" in Okinawa. Rest in power in your new journey with Jesus---while you walk around Heaven all day. You were truly an inspiration! 
Susan M. Sykes

 

 


03/25/20 09:53 PM #2    

Ron Roman

I first met Merv in Sasebo (Japan) while teaching in the late summer/early fall of 1999.  Down through the years we stayed in touch long after his retirement about five years ago.  Merv was a decent fellow & a reliable friend.  If you needed him for anything, he was always there to lend a helping hand.  A fine gentleman.  He will be sorely missed.  Get ready to teach in that Big University of Maryland Class in the Sky, Merv!  Surely you'll render a fine performance as you always did Down Here on Earth.

---Ron Roman

   Pyungtaek City/Osan AB (Korea) 


03/26/20 07:01 AM #3    

Ronald Schlundt

I knew Merv both as a teaching colleague and a strong supporter of the Faculty Advisory Committee, in its varous forms.   He was a valuable member of the overseas Maryland teaching community and will be missed.

Ron Schlundt

Mainz Germany


03/26/20 01:05 PM #4    

Timothy Maga

I always enjoyed Merv's good company.  Some 15 years ago, one of his students ("majoring in Merv") in Iwakuni told me that "the thing about Professor Whealy" was his commitment to fairness, ethics, and doing the right thing.  This was understatement.

Timothy Maga, Sheboygan, Wisconsin


03/26/20 02:40 PM #5    

Charles Brumfield

I did not know Merv well enough  to comment on his life in detail.  I learned a lot about him from the obit above.  I met Merv while teaching on Okinawa.  I liked him very much and respected his intellect.  I'm glad I got to know him as little as I did and wish I had known him better.


03/27/20 08:53 AM #6    

Michael Sullivan

In 1981 I transferred from the European Division to the Asia Division. I was originally scheduled to come to Iwakuni for Term V; however, a colleague fell ill and they asked me to cover her course for Term IV in Osan, South Korea. When I stepped off the plane at Osan Air Base, there was Mervin Whealey waiting for me at the foot of the stairs!  He was teaching in Kunsan that term but took the time to go to Osan to meet and help me get settled! And our friendship started from there. 

I made it to Iwakuni for Term V and continued to teach here for U of Md for six years before moving to a Japanese university. A couple of years later Mervin came to Iwakuni to teach for a couple of terms. During that time he met Nancy Carr who was also here for a couple of terms. So many happy and fun dinner parties at my house with them and the rest of the gang! I was glad when I heard that they had married. 

Mervin came again to teach at Iwakuni several years later while I was at the Japanese university and we continued our friendship (and partying). And I went to Okinawa a couple of times to see him while he was teaching there. 

When he retired we said that we would meet again in California when I made a trip home. Alas, it was not to be. Rest In Peace my friend. My condolences to Nancy, Nathan, and all his family. 


04/14/20 10:29 PM #7    

Dennis Gwynn

I remember Merv telling me with emotion of the gratitude he felt when his Kunsan class threw him an appreciation party. It meant so much to him. He deserved it too, Merv was a good man.

That was the Far East Division long before inexpensive distance education reared its head, we interacted with our students and sometimes even becoming good friends with them in those halcyon days.....Our students were grateful, it was wonderful to teach and feel such appreciation.

Merv certainly will be missed and he will not be forgotten.

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