Birth date: Jul 25, 1934 Death date: Jul 20, 2011
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Dr. Harve E. Rawson, age 76 of Lawrenceville, GA, passed away on July 20, 2011. He was born in Webb City, MO on July 25, 1934, to Paul C. and Florence (Landon) Rawson. After earning a B.A. in Psychology from Antioch College in 1957, Dr. Rawson earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Research Psychology at Ohio State University in 1961. Named Ohio State Scholar in 1960-61, he later completed two post-doctoral programs, one at the University of Iowa and another at Florida State University. First working as a Research Associate for the Department of Psychiatry at Ohio State University Medical School, he then joined North American Aviation, Inc. as a Life Science Specialist. He was one of the first psychologists to work on NASA's Apollo Program. Dr. Rawson enjoyed a 32-year career as Professor of Psychology at Hanover College, where he was the first two-time winner of the Baynham Teaching Award. He was named the Mary E. Hamilton Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Hanover College in 1992. A psychology laboratory at Hanover College was named in his honor. Upon being named a professor emeritus at Hanover College, he became Dean of Faculty at Franklin College. Dr. Rawson was widely published, authoring dozens of research articles in professional journals, over 500 professional presentations, and nine books of his personal experience and interests across his career. A two-time Fulbright Scholar in Psychology, Dr. Rawson spent a year teaching at the College of Health Sciences in Bahrain. He was the first ex-patriot member of the distinguished 'Emiri Court of Physicians' in Bahrain for his contributions in editing the Bahraini Medical Journal. In addition to his academic career, Dr. Rawson had an lifelong interest in driving innovation in treatment of both the aging and underprivileged youth. Dear to his heart was Englishton Park Children's Program, which he founded in 1969 and where he served for 25 years as Director. Englishton Park is a short-term residential program for at-risk children. Dr. Rawson has a building at Englishton Park named in his honor. Over the course of his career, he was named a Malone Scholar, a “Sagamore of the Wabash” by the State of Indiana, a “Kentucky Colonel,” a “Citizen of the Year” by the National Association of Social Workers, and a “Distinguished Academic Psychologist” by the Indiana Psychological Association. He was also awarded the “Golden Quill Award for Outstanding Research” and the “Outstanding Community Service Award for Psychologists.” In Madison, IN, Dr. Rawson was a founding and long time board member of the Jefferson County Youth Shelter, four-time president of the Lide White Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, a long-time member of the Board of Directors of Englishton Park Presbyterian Ministries, Inc., and a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board. A passion that occupied at great deal of his life was traveling the world with his beloved wife, Joyce. He visited more than 100 countries, setting foot on all seven continents. In the most recent years, Harve lived in the Garden Plaza community in Lawrenceville, GA. He spent his time being a wonderful and engaging grandfather to his four grandchildren and authoring several books. Dr. Rawson is survived by his two sons, Paul Gerald Rawson of Hickory, NC, and Paul's children Kate and Parker Rawson; Reed Harve Rawson and his wife Lorianne, of Lawrenceville, GA, and Reed's children, Madison and MacGyver Rawson. He is also survived by a brother, John Rawson of Wichita, KS, and a sister, Margaret Rawson Harris of Hope, AR. He is preceded in death by his dear wife, Joyce Elaine Rawson, who died in April 2008, and his brother Paul Landon Rawson who died in August 2005. Dr. Rawson's memorial will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 2 pm. The service will be held at the Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should go to any of the following charities, all related to the development of youth: Englishton Park Presbyterian Ministries Summer Children's Program, P.O. Box 228, Lexington, IN 47138; the Joyce E. Rawson Scholarship Fund, Franklin College, 101 Branigin Blvd, Franklin, IN 46131; the Hanover College Science Building Museum Fund, Hanover College, Box 108, Hanover, IN 47243; or the Lide White Boys' and Girls' Club, 1551 MSH North Gate Road, Madison, IN 47250. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, 120 Scenic Highway, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. 770-963-2411Read Obituary
I learned of Dr. Rawson's passing just this fall.
Harve was one of the inspirational teachers that students would be fortunate to experience just a few times in their education. He was a truely exceptional person and for me, a life changer at Hanover College.
Dear Reed and Paul,
I just received your card, and I am very sorry to hear of your father's death. Harve was a teacher, mentor and friend to me during and since my years as a student at Hanover College in the mid-1960s. He put his heart and soul into everything he did, and as a result his legacy is far-reaching. I am so grateful for the many ways he helped guide my education and career, always with a sense of humor and a positive outlook.
Sincerely,
Robert Bowman
Hi Paul and Reed, You may or may not remember me, tho I attended Joyce's service, and talked with you then. Your mom and dad were very good and loyal friends to my parents, George and Sara Zirkle. Dad retired in 1974, and we had a surprise party for him in Scottsburg. Both of you watched after Kathy during some of that...not sure if you would remember that. But Mom and Dad went with your parents to many Actor's theatre presentations together, as well as having dinners etc. together. But most of all, Harve and Joyce remained very loyal to my folks, even when they moved to a retirement center in New Albany , Ind, which was a drive for them. I was there a number of times when they were too, and it was always such a joy to talk with them. After Mom died, your Mom took flowers and various things over to her grave, which we greatly appreciated. Your mom and dad were very special people, and will be missed my many. Love, Claire
Marvin and I were unable to attend the service or reception because of illness, but our thoughts and prayers have been with the family during this time. We loved and repected Harve. He was a great friend to all of us here at Garden Plaza. He will be greatly missed, not only here, but by the many people all over the world whose lives he has touched. We are grateful for the privilege of having known and loved him.
Nan and Marvin Bates
I, too, am honored to have known you. You were such an inspiration to others and had such a sense of humor. And you always spoke the truth. I will always remember you as a fine member of Gwinnett Senior Leadership and glad I was still there to meet you. Rest in peace, Harve.
It is with deep sadness that I learnt this week of the passing of Harve from this life. I first met Harve when in 1974 I was a Tutor at the age of 18 in Englishton Park. He introduced me to a wonderful world of hope for children using Behaviour Modification. I was on an undergratuate college placement in Social Work from University College Dublin. Harve taught me so much and had continued to impact on my understanding of the challenges and above all possibilities for helping children and young people.
I enjoyed not only his academic tutelage but also his wonderful sense of divilment and humour. Harve and Joyce together with Paul and Reed made me feel right at home in 1974. Their warmth and kindness to me has been long remembered by me.
Since 1974, I read in awe the Travelogue that Harve would send to me and the wonders of the world they visited opened up visibly from the pages on which he wrote.
I was very fortunate to meet and receive training from Harve and also to enjoy the company of Joyce and Paul and Reed. I also met the late Marla and the very special Chiefy through my participation at EP.
There are a thousand memories like Captain English and the little brown paper bag children. Harve and Joyce anticipated and planned for the needs of each individual child before that child ever set a foot on EP soil. That was their measure. They taught me if we didn't have something that might help a child and we could make it utilizing what was around us in EP to do so. Harve was always thinking about the best interests of the children we served.
May Harve rest in Peace now. He and Joyce together with Marla will always hold a very special place in my heart.
To Harve's family especially Paul and Reed my sincere sympathy at this time.
Imelda C Keogh Dublin Ireland
I was a classmate of Harve's at Webb City High School. He will live on in the memory of his classmates. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Dr. Rawson was truly a remarkable man and I am a better and more enriched person for having known him. It was great to be able to stay in touch with him over all these years (I was Hanover class of 1984), a highlight of which was getting to say a few words about him at his retirement dinner at Hanover. My deepest sympathies to his two sons and the rest of his extended family.
How my husband Merlyn and I will miss Harve at my class reunions! He was such a special person, along with his wife, Joyce. Harve and I were classmates from grades 1 - 12 in Webb City, Missouri, and I feel so privileged he mentioned me in his first book about Webb City. Who ever would have dreamed that redheaded, frecklefaced kid who was such a very dear schoolmate of mine would have accomplished so much during his lifetime? He was so very proud of his sons and grandchildren, and Merlyn and I send our deepest sympathy and love to all of them.
Candace and I were privileged to know Harve and Joyce during the final decade of their lives. They were unique individuals and a true couple. In addition to providing clear examples of lives well lived in service to others, they were charming and fun to be with.
Harve and Joyce Rawson started organizations and improved institutions. They made us all better and showed many young people the way to more significant and rewarding lives.
