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Dr. Carl, FC College Ex head passes away
LAHORE, Oct 23: Reputed US educationist Dr Carl Midkiff Wheeless, former head and
professor of the Political Science Department at Forman Christian (FC) College
from 1957-70, passed away after a prolonged sickness on October 19 at the age of
88. He had been fighting with cancer.
He had an outstanding services
record in the FC College and had taught some of the most famous politicians and
personalities of the country, including President General Pervez Musharraf.
Among numerous other students, Dr Wheeless also taught Pakistan Muslim
League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry
Pervaiz Elahi, special aide to the president Tariq Aziz and PML Secretary
General Mushahid Hussain Sayed. In 2004, they had hosted a reception in his
honour and requested him to compile a book on the history of Pakistan and write
about the presidents of Pakistan. Dr Wheeless accepted the request and started
work on the book highlighting the history of 11 presidents of Pakistan
Jamshed Rehmatullah, chairman of the Board of Governors of FC College
and University, said that Dr Wheeless was the dean of arts while he
was a student in FC College. "He was quite active even in his old age and
prolonged illness," he said. "The FC College community owes him a
lot."
"I recall that during his deanship Dr Wheeless also put me on the
dean's list because of my good performance and discipline," he said. He said
after awarding him a distinction, Dr Wheeless also wrote two letters to him
encouraging him to keep working hard. "I still have those letters in my record,"
he added. He also condoled Dr Wheeless' death on behalf of the college students,
staff and principal.
Prof Hamid Saeed, registrar of FC College and
University, expressing grief on Dr Wheeless's death recalled his marvellous
services to the college.
Dr Wheeless, who was residing at 508 W Highland
Street, Lakeland, Florida, died on October 19, 2007. He was born on January 21,
1919, in Anamosa, Iowa to Archie Reed and Josie Midkiff Wheeless. The family
lived in Delhi, Strawberry Point, and Hopkinton, Iowa. He was a graduate of
Cornell College (BA), the University of Tennessee (MA) and the Georgetown
University (PhD) and a Diploma in International Affairs from the University of
Ankara, Turkey.
He authored several books including a definitive
reference work, Landmarks of American Presidents, published by Gale Research Inc
1995; Steps to the Goal and Beyond to the Calling, a story of missionary service
published in 2001; and Ups and Downs and Around the Corner published in 2003.
Recently, on the Pakistan government's request, he spent two years in Lahore
writing a book about the presidents of Pakistan - The Eleven Men of
Pakistan.
In 1985, he retired from the High Point University where had
served as the head of the department and professor of history, political
science, and geography (1971-1985). As a specialist in international affairs, he
was consultant to the Youth for Federal Union and a delegate to conferences in
Germany and England. He was a distinguished lecturer for college student tours
to North Africa and the Middle East, South Asia, and the Caribbean. He served as
a missionary with the United Methodist Church at FC College and also as director
of the Master of Public Administration in International Affairs, Syracuse
University's programme in Pakistan (1965-1970). He was employed by the United
States government as an administrator with the Tennessee Valley Authority in the
Health and Safety Division; Archives Assistant with the National Archives in
Washington, DC; Foreign Affairs Specialist for Korea with the Department of the
State; and Intelligence Specialist with the Department of Defence - Office of
Navy Intelligence. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and
until his death, was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Lakeland,
Florida.
On January 19, 1947, he was married to Mary Headrick of Erwin,
Tennessee who survives him. Daily Times
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