Harry Leonard Walen

Dateline-Exeter, NH

Harry Leonard Walen, 93, died August 22, 2008, at Langdon Place in Exeter, NH. He was born June 26, 1915 in Winchester, MA, son of the late Harry Leonard Walen and Alice (Garland) Walen.

Harry grew up in Newton, MA. He was a graduate of Newton High School, Class of 1933. He continued his education and later graduated cum laude from Harvard University, Class of 1937, and took his MA there in 1942.

Mr. Walen had a long and distinguished career as a teacher, principal, and school administrator. Throughout his professional career, he served in various capacities. From 1937-1942, Harry was a teacher at Los Alamos Ranch School ( NM) where he was head of the English Dept. from 1939-1942. He taught English at Groton School between 1942-1946. He served as instructor of English and Faculty Marshal at Newton Jr. College from 1946-1951, teacher of English and Journalism at his almamater, Newton HS (MA) from 1946-1951, and as Administrator there from 1951-1955. Harry was directing editor of secondary school English textbooks at Ginn & Co., Boston 1955-1961. He returned to public school service as principal of the Needham (MA) HS 1961-1972. He concluded his career in schools as post secondary guidance counselor at Needham 1972-1979.

Harry served as a member of the US DOE Regional Interviewing Committee for Overseas Grants and Fellowships, 1961-1984; and member of the Task Force on High School Graduation Requirements, Mass DOE, 1976-1980.

Harry authored the following books: The Family Travel-Camper, 1955; (with E. Gordon and others) Types of Literature, American Literature, English Literature, 1964; The Memory Book of the New England Association of Teachers of English, 1981; The Sons of the American Revolution 1962-1982: An Historical Anthology, 1984; Images and Perceptions, 1996; The Birds of Budapest, 2004. Harry published the following monographs: English Learning Environments, 1972; History of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, 1982; Centennial History, 1996; co-author Alluring Rockport, rev. edit. 1986; The Little Old Meeting House and How It Grew; editor The English Leaflet, 1947-1954; cons. editor on career education New Voices Series, 1978. Harry contributed chapters, articles, and poems to numerous books, professional journals and periodicals.

Numerous offices and awards included the following. While at Los Alamos, Harry served as Deputy Sheriff of Santa Fe County, and (after Pearl Harbor was attacked) as Colonel of the State Militia. Later, Alderman City of Newton, MA, 1961-1972; poet laureate, Rockport (MA), 1998, 1999-; corp. mem. USS Massachussetts Memorial. Com., Inc, 1972-, board director, 1984-1991, Honorary Director, 1995-; Chairman Education Committee N.E. Conference National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1972-1982, member study mission to Israel, 1974; Vice Chairman N.E. Conference on Quality of Life, Boston, 1973; member Newton Regional Manpower Planning Board, 1973-1977; President Counseling Services YMCA, Greater Boston, 1976-1977; Chairman Newton Highlands Congregational Church Board of Christian Education, 1974-1975; First Congregational Church, Rockport MA, Historian, 1982-2002; delegate Mass. Conf. United Ch. Christ, 1989-1996.
Additionally, John Hay Fellow, 1965; Mass Dept. Education Commonwealth Fellow, 1971; recipient citation US Commissioner of Education, 1971; citation NE Association of Schools and Colleges, 1984; Certificate of Appreciation, City of Newton (MA), 1971; Service Award, YMCA, 1978; Member National Council Teachers English (associate chairman national convention 1965, chairman, co-founder Emeritus Assembly 1979-1983, various other commissions and offices, citation, 1969); Nat. Assn. Secondary Sch. Prin.; Headmasters Assn. (life); N.E. Association of Teachers of English (life, past president, chairman ann. Charles Swain Thomas Award commission 1975-1996, historian 1978-, Thomas Award recipient, 1978); Mass. Secondary School Principals. Assn. (diploma standards com. 1973-78, Bronze Plaque 1974); Mass Council of Teachers of English (co-founder); Mass. Schoolmasters Club (Past Pres. hon., life); MENSA.

Also, Friends of Jackson Homestead, Newton Hist. Soc (life, Past Pres.); Los Alamos (NM) Hist. Society (life); Sandy Bay Historical Society (Pres. 1983-1986); Greater Boston Guidance Club (hon.); Nat. Gavel Society; N.E. Historical and Genealogical Society; SAR (State Pres. 1979-1981, National Trustee 1981-1983, Historian Gen. 1983-1986, Secretary Mus. Bd. 1982-1988, Minuteman Award 1985); Gen. Society of Mayflower Descendants (mem. Nat. Executive Committee 1990-1993); Mass. Society Mayflower Descendants (Gov. 1985-1988, Deputy Gov. Gen. 1988-1993); Pilgrim John Howland Soc. (Pres 1987-1999, Pres. Emeritus 1999-, led pilgrimage to England 1989); Mass. Huguenot Society (pres 1990-1992, Nat. Delegate 1983-1992); Descendants Colonial Clergy; Society Colonial Wars; Navy League US (life); Sons and Daughters of 1st Settlers of Newbury (Pres 1982-84); Piscataqua Pioneers (Pres. 1990-91); Order of Crown of Charlemagne; Order of Founders and Patriots (Nat. Treasurer 1978-1981, Dep. Gov. General 1981-84, Exec. Com. 1992-2000, Councilor Gen. (Mass. 1984-, NH 1987-1990), Gov. 1992-1995, Councilor Gen. 1993-, Nat. Distinguished Service award 1996).

Finally, the Boston Athenaeum; Harvard Club of Boston; Boston Authors Club (Pres. 1995-96); English Lunch Club (pres 1975-82); Friday Evening Club (Most Venerable 1979-86); Sandy Bay Yacht Club; Masons (32nd Degree, 50 year award).

Harry was pre-deceased by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth (Rowe Benson) Walen, who died December 13, 2006. They resided in Los Alamos, NM, and Groton, MA, before settling for 30 years in Newton, MA from 1946 -1978. Betty and Harry retired to their roots on Cape Ann, settling in Rockport, MA, where they live from 1978-2005. Lastly, at the age of 90, the beloved couple relocated in Exeter, NH, to be closer to their 3 sons.

Survivors include three sons and their wives: H. Benson and Lois Walen of Rindge, NH; Kimball and Jean Walen of Kingston, NH; and Robert Walen and Susan Cormier of Amherst, NH. Additionally, 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren. And finally, 1 brother, Roger and Constance Walen of Marion, MA, and 3 nieces.

There are no calling hours.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 13, 2008, at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church in Rockport, MA. Following the service and refection, burial will occur in the Locust Grove Cemetery, Rockport, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: the music program at the First Congregational Church, School St., Rockport, MA 01966; the Pilgrim John Howland Society, 33 Sandwich Ave. Plymouth, MA 02360; the music program at the Exeter Congregational Church, Front Street, Exeter, NH 03833; the Thatcher Island Association, Rockport, MA 01966; Sandy Bay Historical Society, Rockport (MA).

Brewitt Funeral Home, Exeter, NH is handling the arrangements. To sign an on line guest book, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com.

Brewitt Funeral Service & Crematory
14 Pine Street
Exeter, NH 03833
603-772-3554
www.brewittfuneralhome.com