John Searles Tucson, Arizona Obituary

John Searles

John Edward (Jack) Searles Professor Emeritus of Education at The Pennsylvania State University, passed away from heart failure on April 24, 2012 while a resident at the Summer Tree adult care home in Tucson, Arizona. Jack was born in Great Falls, Montana, on October 15, 1922 to parents, Frederick and Margaret (Nalbach) Searles. Jack was the youngest of three sons and was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Frederick Webster and Herbert. When Jack was six years old, his family moved to Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1940. While in high school, Jack was the sports editor of the school newspaper. After high school, Jack attended Carleton College, where he was editor and business manager of the college's newspaper, The Carletonian, and received a B.A. in International Relations. Following graduation, he taught at a private boy's school in Waldorf, Minnesota and then at Cannon Falls High School in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where he also coached a sports team. It was during that time, on a blind date, that he met Joan "Jo" Cooper, a freshman at Carleton who would later become his wife. Jack moved to California and married Jo on June 18, 1948 at the All Saints Episcopal Church in San Leandro, California. He taught at Menlo School and College, and then attended Stanford University, where he received his Masters in Political Science and Ed.D. in Education. He and his growing family then moved to Southern California where he accepted a teaching position at Long Beach State College. In 1959, Jack, Jo and their four children moved to Brazil for two years where Jack worked helping teachers in the country's educational system. It was a formative time for Jack as he and the family absorbed the Brazilian culture, environment and wonderful people. Upon returning to the U.S., Jack joined the faculty of Penn State University. His teaching career at Penn State included several stints in Central America working with graduate programs in various countries' university systems. He also published a book, "A System for Instruction." Jack greatly enjoyed traveling. He had been to every state except Alaska, and also visited most of South and Central America, Europe, the British Isles and Scandinavia, parts of Africa, Russia and several countries in Asia. Jack retired from Penn State in 1985, and enjoyed golf, working in his woodshop and spending time on his farm in Brush Valley, Pennsylvania. When Jo retired in 1993, they begin wintering in Tucson, Arizona, and moved there permanently in 2008. In recent years, Jack had become increasingly deaf and lost his sight. Suffering from post-polio syndrome, he found life increasingly a challenge. He nevertheless remained optimistic, upbeat and interested in the world. He leaves behind his wife, Jo and their four children, David (Sachiyo), Carolyn (Jim), Sarah (Karl) and Gordon (Julie); seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. Jack treasured an encomium created by his students, a fitting description: A Thinker --- in a world of upheaval. A Gentleman --- in a world of unkindness. A Teacher --- in a world of confusion. Donations in Jack's memory may be made to SAAVI (Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired), 3767 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716. He was always helped by that fine organization. A Memorial Service is planned at a time to be determined. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.
October 15, 1922 - April 24, 201210/15/192204/24/2012
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Obituary

John Edward (Jack) Searles Professor Emeritus of Education at The Pennsylvania State University, passed away from heart failure on April 24, 2012 while a resident at the Summer Tree adult care home in Tucson, Arizona. Jack was born in Great Falls, Montana, on October 15, 1922 to parents, Frederick and Margaret (Nalbach) Searles. Jack was the youngest of three sons and was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Frederick Webster and Herbert. When Jack was six years old, his family moved to Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Missoula County High School in 1940. While in high school, Jack was the sports editor of the school newspaper. After high school, Jack attended Carleton College, where he was editor and business manager of the college's newspaper, The Carletonian, and received a B.A. in International Relations. Following graduation, he taught at a private boy's school in Waldorf, Minnesota and then at Cannon Falls High School in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, where he also coached a sports team. It was during that time, on a blind date, that he met Joan "Jo" Cooper, a freshman at Carleton who would later become his wife. Jack moved to California and married Jo on June 18, 1948 at the All Saints Episcopal Church in San Leandro, California. He taught at Menlo School and College, and then attended Stanford University, where he received his Masters in Political Science and Ed.D. in Education. He and his growing family then moved to Southern California where he accepted a teaching position at Long Beach State College. In 1959, Jack, Jo and their four children moved to Brazil for two years where Jack worked helping teachers in the country's educational system. It was a formative time for Jack as he and the family absorbed the Brazilian culture, environment and wonderful people. Upon returning to the U.S., Jack joined the faculty of Penn State University. His teaching career at Penn State included several stints in Central America working with graduate programs in various countries' university systems. He also published a book, "A System for Instruction." Jack greatly enjoyed traveling. He had been to every state except Alaska, and also visited most of South and Central America, Europe, the British Isles and Scandinavia, parts of Africa, Russia and several countries in Asia. Jack retired from Penn State in 1985, and enjoyed golf, working in his woodshop and spending time on his farm in Brush Valley, Pennsylvania. When Jo retired in 1993, they begin wintering in Tucson, Arizona, and moved there permanently in 2008. In recent years, Jack had become increasingly deaf and lost his sight. Suffering from post-polio syndrome, he found life increasingly a challenge. He nevertheless remained optimistic, upbeat and interested in the world. He leaves behind his wife, Jo and their four children, David (Sachiyo), Carolyn (Jim), Sarah (Karl) and Gordon (Julie); seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. Jack treasured an encomium created by his students, a fitting description: A Thinker --- in a world of upheaval. A Gentleman --- in a world of unkindness. A Teacher --- in a world of confusion. Donations in Jack's memory may be made to SAAVI (Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired), 3767 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716. He was always helped by that fine organization. A Memorial Service is planned at a time to be determined. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.

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