September 20, 2003 - Seattle Times: Peace Corps Giant Paul Conklin dies in Seattle

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: September 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: September 20, 2003 - Seattle Times: Peace Corps Giant Paul Conklin dies in Seattle

By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 11:14 am: Edit Post

Peace Corps Giant Paul Conklin dies in Seattle





Read and comment on this story from the Seattle Times that Peace Corps Giant Paul Conklin has died of cancer at age 74 at his home near Beckett Point, Washington. Paul Conklin was the first official photographer of the Peace Corps and renowned for his ability to capture the warmth of the human spirit. Mr. Conklin attended Wayne State University in Michigan, earned a master's degree at Columbia University and was chosen to document the Peace Corps in 1964 after the volunteer agency was formed. He traveled with Shriver around the world, photographing volunteers at work. "Your photos proved in ways more powerful than words that we truly are all God's children and more alike than different," wrote Peace Corps founding director Sargent Shriver in a letter to Mr. Conklin on Aug. 22. Our condolences to family and friends of Paul Conklin on behalf of the Returned Volunteer community. Read the obituary at:

Paul Conklin photographed early years of Peace Corps*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Paul Conklin photographed early years of Peace Corps

By The Associated Press

PORT TOWNSEND — Paul S. Conklin, the first official photographer of the Peace Corps and renowned for his ability to capture the warmth of the human spirit, has died. He was 74.

Mr. Conklin, who as a freelancer shot the famous photograph of a Vietnam War protester placing a daisy in the barrel of a National Guard soldier's rifle, died Wednesday of cancer at age 74 at his home near Beckett Point west of Port Townsend.

His work was featured in National Geographic, Time magazine and The New York Times, and he twice won first place at the annual White House photography exhibit, said his wife, Ruth Merryman.

"Your photos proved in ways more powerful than words that we truly are all God's children and more alike than different," wrote Peace Corps founding director Sargent Shriver in a letter to Mr. Conklin on Aug. 22.

Mr. Conklin attended Wayne State University in Michigan, earned a master's degree at Columbia University and was chosen to document the Peace Corps in 1964 after the volunteer agency was formed. He traveled with Shriver around the world, photographing volunteers, war protesters and Third World children.

Later, as a freelancer based in Washington, D.C., he collaborated with writer Brent Ashabranner on a series of juvenile nonfiction books about children of vanishing cultures and also wrote and illustrated his own books, including "Michael of Wales."

His photojournalism essays on poverty in Latin American appeared frequently in U.S. Catholic magazine, including "The View from Juarez" last month.

Together with his sons, David and Peter, Mr. Conklin wrote "Land of Yesterday, Land of Tomorrow," a book based on their travels through central Asia.

After Mr. Conklin and Merryman moved to Port Townsend in 1995 for the scenery and bird watching, he often brought his camera to community events and did volunteer photography for the police, Jefferson General Hospital, Northwest Maritime Center, the Port Townsend Film Festival and the Centrum arts and music festivals.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a sister, Katherine Green of San Francisco, and a grandson.

A community memorial service and photographic display is planned Oct. 12 at the USO building at Fort Worden State Park.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company





Paul Conklin's Photographs of Peace Corps Volunteers








In a laboratory at Belize Tech, Andre Colpitts explains the properties of a chemical to one of his students.







Dairy technologist David P. Hoyer (left) explains the operation of a cheese vat to Turkish Cypriot workers in a cooperative dairy plant on the outskirts of Nicosia.







Marching along with their instructor, Willie Douglas, high school students who belong to a vocational agriculture program head for their classroom - the fields. The scene is in Katlang, a remote mountain village in West Pakistan, near the Afghan border.







Gary Schaller teaches English in a small crowded classroom in Benepat, sixteen miles from Katmandu, Nepal.







Dennis Shaner and helper repair a damaged catepillar tractor in the town of Pont-du-Fahs Tunisia, where he taught a course in diesel mechanics.







In her clinic in the town of Corioco Bolivia, Priscilla Bauguess treats an Indian woman for an ear infection.







Joyce Thorkleson and her students outside the demonstration school of Katmandu's College of Education.







Martha Iwaski stands in the doorway of a barriada school in the coastal city of Chimbote Peru.










Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL

9/13/03
Call your Senator about PC Appropriations

Top Stories this Week
Evaluating the Peace Corps 11 Sept
Mark Schneider: Unilateralism inspires distrust 10 Sept
Peace Corps Director Travels to Africa 10 Sept
Lariam Failure blamed for Malaria outbreak 10 Sept
RPCV says Peace Corps yields huge dividends 10 Sept
DC and FON RPCVs push for new NPCA Board 7 Sept
Which way for the NPCA?
Read three different views on where the NPCA is headed: First our interview with NPCA President Kevin Quigley, then John Coyne's Modest Proposal for the NPCA, and finally our story on changes in NPCA's bylaws that some RPCVs have proposed.
More Stories from the September Issue of PCOL Magazine

Does Bush really support the Peace Corps?
What is the substance behind the President's rhetoric of support for the Peace Corps?

The Art of Being Globally Thrifty
Read Terez Rose's essay about one of the lessons she learned while in Africa - how to be patient and weather the storm of challenging times with dignity and grace.

Cultural Representation and the Peace Corps Museum
The Peace Corps Museum can be a place where cultures are respected with dignity, stories are told and where we can come together as a community.

Queer Eye for the Straight RPCV
Read the email from the casting director for the TV show "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy" who is looking for a recently Returned Volunteer to be on the show.

The Peace Corps Encyclopedia
Take a look at our new "Encyclopedia" of Peace Corps knowledge with information about over 100 categories.

More Feature Stories from Recent Issues of PCOL Magazine

House of Representatives passes Charter
The Peace Corps and the Returned Volunteer community celebrated a big victory when the "Peace Corps Act for the 21st Century" Act passed the House in July. Read what's next for the bill.

Kevin Quigley named new NPCA President
The NPCA has selected the next generation of leadership for their organization. Read about the new President.

Investigation on death of PCV in Mali
The results of the investigation into the death of PCV Zachary Merrill in Mali.

President Bush meets PCVs in Botswana
The President met with PCVs in Botswana. Here's what he said.

Friends of Liberia issue a Call to Action
This RPCV group has a long history on involvement in efforts to bring peace to their Country of Service. Here's what they have to say about the present situation.

Issues with the Peace Corps Bill in Congress
Read about the differences between the House and Senate versions of the "Peace Corps Act for the 21st Century" and decide which one is better.

Americorps' Failure
Lessons the Peace Corps can learn from Americorps' problems.

RPCVs dump ton of coal at US Capital
Read what the RPCV-led Chesapeake Climate Action Network is doing to educate the public on Global Warming.

German Peace Corps celebrates 40 years
The governance structure of the German Peace Corps differs from that of the US Peace Corps. Is it better?

Peace Corps to add 1,000 AIDS/HIV volunteers
Director Vasquez's new initiative to expand the Peace Corps in Africa.

Bill Moyers on America's Future
Read what an early Peace Corps Deputy Director says about America's future.

Op-ed: The Future of the Peace Corps
Does the Peace Corps have a future in the age of the American Imperium? What do you think?

RPCV is wheelchair basketball champion
The courage of a volunteer struck down by polio in Central America.

Watch Director Vasquez on web tv
See the Peace Corps Director speak to High School students in Maryland.

The Digital Freedom Initiative
The innovative new program to wire Senegal.


For the Record: Top Stories in the last 30 days
RPCV says to develop ties with world 11 Sept
Evaluating the Peace Corps 11 Sept
Howard Dean's brother planned to join PC 11 Sept
Mark Schneider: Unilateralism inspires distrust 10 Sept
Lariam Failure blamed for Malaria outbreak 10 Sept
Friends of Liberia send message to Bush 10 Sept
Peace Corps Director Travels to Africa 10 Sept
RPCV says Peace Corps yields huge dividends 10 Sept
Eunice Kennedy Shriver backs Schwarzenegger 10 Sept
PC Director Visits Namibia 10 Sept
RPCVs start Enginering Assistance Network 9 Sept
Bush Should Listen Closely in Africa 7 Sept
DC and FON RPCVs push for new NPCA Board 7 Sept
Become an NPCA Advocate 5 Sept
NPCA President speaks out for Americorps 5 Sept
Interview with NPCA President Kevin Quigley 3 Sept
Visa Problems frustrate RPCV's wedding 3 Sept
Carol Bellamy's UNICEF in the crosshairs 2 Sept
RPCV Dave Thieson dies in Maryland 2 Sept
The Art of Being Globally Thrifty 1 Sept
RPCV founds Educare-Africa 1 Sept
RPCV says No Stability in Afghanistan 28 Aug
Bush meets with future PCVs 28 Aug
Senator Coleman to push to AIDS funding 28 Aug
Walsh won't support Americorps bailout 28 Aug
Former Director Chao profiled in USA Today 28 Aug
RPCVs form Bridges with Ghana 27 Aug
Shays says Iraq Effort Needs Allied Help 27 Aug
RPCV says to pressure Putin 27 Aug
Bush greets future PCVs 26 Aug
Teen Sentenced For Killing RPCV Father 26 Aug
MN Newspaper says Bush treats PC well 26 Aug
Senator's 'Aids tour' could make a difference 24 Aug
Future PCVs will greet Bush in Minnesota 22 Aug
Bush to meet PC Volunteers in Minnesota 22 Aug
Coleman stunned by AIDS comments 22 Aug
"I have a Dream" 40th Anniversary 22 Aug
RPCV Mayor urges Hispanics to get involved 22 Aug
RPCV named `New Englander of the Year' 20 Aug
Queer Eye For The Straight RPCV 20 Aug
PC Welcomes Kids For Peace Camp 20 Aug
President visits PCVs in Botswana 20 Aug
RPCV says students don't discuss world news 20 Aug
Coleman to examine Africa's AIDS crisis 19 Aug
RPCV discusses New school testing 19 Aug
Senator Coleman to meet PCVs in Africa 19 Aug
Vasquez criticized for supporting Gay Pride 19 Aug
RPCVs work to end Female Genital Mutilation 17 Aug
RPCV runs river guide business in Alaska 17 Aug
Somber reminders of danger 16 Aug
RPCV helps poor Guatemalan village 15 Aug
A Modest Proposal 13 Aug
Kennedy/Shriver connections help Arnold 13 Aug
Top Discussion Stories

Interview with Kevin Quigley
Our talk with the new NPCA President about his vision for the organization.

A Modest Proposal
Read the op-ed by John Coyne on how to expand and revitalize the NPCA and what you can do to help.

Send in the Peace Corps?
Should the Peace Corps be heading into Iraq and Afghanistan? What do you think?

Peace Corps Charter
Read about the new Peace Corps bill going through Congress. Compare the Senate and House versions of the bill here.

A Volunteer's Courage
After Sara Evans was assaulted she left the Peace Corps and returned to the United States. But her ordeal was only beginning.

The Fourth Goal
Read about Sargent Shriver's Fourth Goal for the Peace Corps. His original speech at Yale about the Peace Corps in the 21st Century is here.

The Numbers Game
Double the Peace Corps - but maintain the quality of the programs and the volunteer experience.

Improvements needed
...in Volunteer services. Read our exclusive story on what needs to be done to support volunteers and reduce attrition rates.

Volunteer Safety
Read the GAO Report on Safety and Security of Volunteers.

The Lariam Files
Read about the anti-malarial drug thousands of volunteers have taken - and its potential side effects.

Accountability
Senator Norm Coleman is a strong supporter of Bush's full $359M budget request but wants greater accountability from the Peace Corps. Read why.

Protest at the Peace Corps
Do volunteers and staff retain first amendment rights while working in the Peace Corps. Join the discussion.

RPCVs organize
Read how 1,800 RPCVs organized to place two half-page ads in the New York Times.

PC is "truly hardcore"
A Marine Sergeant visited his daughter who is serving in Nicaragua. Read what he says about the Peace Corps.

From Russia with Love
The story behind the departure of the Peace Corps from Russia.

RPCVs honor Vaughn
Returned Volunteers met to honor and listen to the wisdom of Peace Corps legend Jack Vaughn.

More Special Reports

The IDPA: PC Forerunner
The IDPA, a forerunner of the Peace Corps, created in 1951 to place people with indigenous organizations and governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Alcohol Abuse a big issue for PCVs in Central Asia
Read about the health hazard PC Staff is warning volunteers in former Soviet Republics about.

PC/Washington: Senior Staff Appointments at PC HQ
See if you can guess how many RPCVs there are in senior staff positions at PC Headquarters.

Peace Corps TV Show
Last year Fox network created a pilot for a tv show about a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Although the show wasn't picked up, read RPCVs' many humourous suggestions for the title.

RPCV Spy dies in Moscow
The strange story of the RPCV who defected to Russia.

The Shrivers: A Special Legacy
The Founding Director of the Peace Corps and his future plans.

The Case for PC Independence
Why the USA Freedom Corps doesn't make sense.

Preservation of an Independent Peace Corps
Returned Volunteers insist that the Peace Corps must remain an independent agency to do its job.



Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Photography; Obituaries; History

PCOL7813
41

.

By deanmichaelcarlo on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:23 am: Edit Post

Thank you for all the good works you folks perform in the world.

By William J. Bonner (2416436hfc14.tampabay.rr.com - 24.164.36.14) on Sunday, October 05, 2003 - 5:36 pm: Edit Post

I just read the obituary of Paul Conklin, which included some of his pictures which apparently were also included in the Seattle paper. Imagine my surprise to see in the first picture a Peace Corps Volunteer whom I knew well in undergraduate university at Phillips University, Enid, Oklahoma (since closed). Andre was a talented, bright soul, witty and urbane, but also quite interested in the world about him. He epitomized the best of Phillips graduates. Unfortunately his life was cut short. He was reportedly shot to death on the streets of Washington, D.C. several years after the picture in 1964, by an unknown assailant. The story which made the rounds of his friends was that he actually was a CIA operative and was assassinated by an enemy he made while on assignment. With the recent "outing" of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife as a CIA operative by someone within the Bush administration, any other PCV might also be endangered if there is suspicion their activities might include covert matters.

By Bertha Stevens (sdn-ap-003dcwashp0106.dialsprint.net - 63.188.16.106) on Wednesday, March 03, 2004 - 7:35 pm: Edit Post

While attending Wayne State University from 1948 to 1952 I dated a tall classmate from my Spanish class, whose name was Paul Conklin. I am wondering if he is the same Paul Conklin who achieved so many wonderful accomplishments in his life! I would like to think that it is, but I don't know how I could corroborate that. The Paul Conklin I knew was from New Mexico, I think, and he was living with his aunt on Byron street in Detroit.

By Tom Gee (pool-68-163-97-185.bos.east.verizon.net - 68.163.97.185) on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 12:14 pm: Edit Post

As an early Peace Corps staff member, I know of Paul Conklin's genius behind a lens, of course. But, I'd like to add something that may be little known about him: He was a genius on the mound, too. We served together on the Peace Corps softball team, which played in more than one league in Washington, and we usually won. He was our lead pitcher, and I was the catcher, so I had a special vantage point. He was one of the best pitchers I ever caught. Tom Gee

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-25-123.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.25.123) on Sunday, March 12, 2006 - 8:40 pm: Edit Post

Belize RPCV Andre B. Colpitts (in top photo) died in May, 1976

Peace Corps Online

From the Phillips University obituary page at:

http://www.puafa.org/obits/cd/obit_C_D.htm

Andre B. Colpitts in the top photograph died May, 1976.



Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: