Arthur Falk

Dr. Arthur "Art" WMU Emeritus Professor of Philosophy Arthur E. Falk of Kalamazoo passed away December 11, 2018 at the age of 80 following a series of disabling illnesses. Arthur Falk was born May 28, in New York City to the late Arthur and Ruth Falk. Following graduation from New York's Regis High School, he earned his Bachelor's degree from Fordham University in 1960 and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Yale in 1962 and 1965 respectively. He was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow while at Yale. Professor Falk began teaching at Western Michigan University in 1963, continued as a full-time faculty member of the WMU Philosophy department until his retirement in December of 2004, and then taught yearly as a part-time instructor until this past mid-October. He chaired the Philosophy Department from 1987-1993. During the academic year 1984-85 he was a Fulbright Senior Lecturer at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India. He has also at various times taught guest courses at Kalamazoo College, Indiana University, and the University of Rajasthan in India. Dr. Falk has had an active career in academic research and both university and community service. Between 1974 and 1976 he served as president of WMU's AAUP chapter and led the fight to establish the WMU faculty union; more recently he helped to organize the WMU part-timers' union. Until the past month he served as elective member and secretary to the Parkview Hills Board of Directors and liaison between Parkview Hills and several environmental and neighborhood organizations. He loved his family, conversations with friends, teaching, music, woodland walks, exploring new cities, and good food and wine. Arthur Falk was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard Falk. He is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Indira (Greg) Gesink and Amelia (Andrew) Wagner; grandchildren Mia, Aida, and Eva Gesink and Arthur Wagner; brothers Raymond and James Falk; and sister Lois Gillett. A memorial service will be held December 27 at 11 a.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St., Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Western Michigan University Philosophy Department or to student scholarships for the WMU Studies Abroad programs. Please visit Dr. Falk's personalized online guestbook at www.langelands.com.