UMAS holds memorial service for late professor

By Max Orenstein
Senior Staff Writer
January 23, 2008

Students, colleagues, friends and family honored Dr. Michael J. Kerlin in a memorial service Jan. 22 for the former philosophy professor, who spent 40 years teaching at La Salle. Kerlin passed away after a battle with leukemia Nov. 23, 2007.

Services were held in the De La Salle Chapel, and were organized with the help of Brother Robert Kinzler. Lit candles, potted plants and two photographs of the late professor decorated the front of the chapel. There were also two poster boards; one filled some of Kerlin’s significant spoken words and the other a few of his more remarkable written words. The room was filled to about a quarter of its capacity.

Philosophy chair Dr. Marc R. Moreau welcomed those in attendance and director of the honors program John S. Grady followed with a reading from The Book of Daniel. The services consisted of two musical selections performed by senior history/secondary education Courtney Bowers and junior biology major Doug Phelan, as well as words of remembrance by philosophy professor Dr. Frederick Van Fleteren, associate professor of education Brother Arthur Bangs, philosophy department secretary Rosemary Convery, La Salle alumnus Dr. William Sullivan and the late professor’s son, Michael.

After the scheduled speakers addressed the gatherers, the floor was opened to others. Several volunteered to remark about Kerlin’s humor, mannerisms, wisdom and contributions to La Salle and its philosophy department. Father James Dever performed the Litany of Farewell and closing prayer. As the services closed, many greeted Kerlin’s family. All were invited into the lobby for light refreshments. Convery, a friend of Kerlin’s, said the accounts of Kerlin’s life were, “…very moving, very touching, very real.”

A common theme throughout the remembrance ceremony was Kerlin’s mutual love for the university.

“La Salle and my dad are one in the same,” said Michael Kerlin, Jr.

The professor himself was once quoted as saying, “I love this place so much. I’m going to stay around as long as I can.”

Almost everyone mentioned Kerlin’s fondness for frozen yogurt.

Kerlin was awarded Distinguished LaSallian Educator in 2006 with a unanimous recommendation from the award’s advisory committee. He was also given a chair with a plaque on it for his 28 years of service as chair of the philosophy department. The chair was on display at the memorial service. It will be donated back to the philosophy department by the Kerlin family.

orensteinm1@lasalle.edu