Westminster College History Professor Passes Away

Dr. Eugene G. Sharkey, professor of history at Westminster College, passed away Thursday, July 10.

"I know that all of us share a deep sense of loss as we mourn Professor Gene Sharkey," said Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson. "Dr. Sharkey served Westminster College with his strong intellect and a passion for his discipline that inspired all of us."

Sharkey, who has been with Westminster since 1972, earned his undergraduate degree in English and history from Rutgers University. He earned his master's degree in U.S. diplomatic history at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and returned to Rutgers for his doctorate, focusing on Latin American history. The Belleville, N.J. native was awarded research and teaching fellowships at both institutions.

In addition to teaching, Sharkey was the author of a 552-page book, When Titans Truly Were, Westminster College and the Second World War, which took seven years to complete. Recapturing the heroism and humanity of the war through personal anecdotes and reminiscences, this book included nearly 400 memoirs of Westminster alumni, faculty, administrators, and board members.

Sharkey was a frequent lecturer and contributor to professional journals. Sharkey's writings have been published in McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Latin American History and Rutgers Library Journal, among others. Awards and honors included the Zeta Lambda Faculty of the Year Award in 1999; was appointed associate trustee of Westminster College in 1995; being named Henderson Lecturer at Westminster College in 1993; being chosen as an East Central Colleges exchange lecturer for the 1987-88 academic year, during which he spoke at five campuses on "Andy Hardy & the Kingdom of Guatemala: U.S. Policy Towards Central America."

He was survived by his wife, Connie.

Calling hours are at the Smith Funeral Home, 310 W. Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington, Tuesday, July 15 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral is scheduled Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at Wallace Memorial Chapel.