Memorial Resolution
for
Henry George
Waltmann
1933-1978
Henry George Waltmann, born in Cedar Falls,
Iowa on May 1, 1933, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wartburg College in
1957, a Master of Arts degree in 1959, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1962
from the University of Nebraska. In September 1962, Henry Waltmann came to
Purdue University as an Assistant Professor
of History. During his years of service at Purdue, he taught a variety of
courses, but his favorites were the History of the United States and the
National Period in America. A well trained historian, he practiced his
profession with great dedication and exceptional intellectual integrity.
Voluminous and judicious reading was habit with him; he was always abreast the
new developments in his field. As a teacher, he scored a solid success by
thorough command of the material, sound organization and lucid
presentation. He was always ready to carry his share of the load or more
-- whether in the form of administrative duties, committee assignments,
participation in staff policy decisions, or instructional work.
During his years at Purdue, he wrote two
book-length reports for the National Park Service. They were published by
the Smithsonian Institution as Pioneer Farming in Indiana: Thomas
Lincoln's Field; Patch and Orchard Crops; Livestock and Poultry in Frontier
Indiana: Developments on Thomas Lincoln's Farm, 1816-1830. He edited History
of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, and two
volumes (with three of his department colleagues) of readings in American
history. In addition, he published articles in "Arizona and the
West" and "Journal of Presbyterian History." during his
last illness, he had an article accepted by the "Indiana Magazine of
History."
Professor Waltmann was a member of the
American Historical Association, Organization of American Historians, Western
History Association, Indiana Historical Society, Society of Indiana Archivists,
and Indiana Religious History (serving on the Board of Directors of the latter
organization).
Professor Waltmann served his community and
nation well. He was a veteran of the Korean conflict, a faculty advisor of
the Purdue Lutheran Student Association, and the Purdue Lutheran Movement, the
archivist of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, and a
member of the Board of Trustees of Wittenburg University in Springfield, Ohio.
A quiet, trustworthy, loyal, and considerate
man, Henry Waltmann wore well with his colleagues. He set strict standards
of performance, first for himself, and then for his students. The respect
he engendered among his students is shown by the establishment of the
"Henry G. Waltmann Award" to deserving undergraduate students in
history by the Nu Omega chapter of Phi Alpha Theta.
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