rpcv aCHIeVEMENTS

Malaysia RPCVs Listed as Notable Persons in Wikipedia

• Donald Mosley, Founder of Habitat for Humanity, Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award

• Julia Chang Bloch, Immigrant, first Asian American Ambassador, Philanthropist,  

• Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, Conservationist, Author of many books on natural history, travel, SEA

• Robert Pastor, Member of the U.S. National Security Council under President Carter

• John N. Miksic, Archaeologist, the "Indiana Jones of Singapore’s history"

• James T. Collins, Linguist and historian of Malay languages 

• Kinky Freidman, Texas singer, songwriter, novelist, politician

• Ina May Gaskin, Author, known as the "Mother of Modern Midwifery" 

• Carle M. Pieters, American planetary scientist (Malaysia 1967–69)

• Jay Mather, Photojournalist, Pulitzer Prize and Robert F. Kennedy Award

• William Revelle, Distinguished Psychologist, Professor Northwestern University

• Carl A Trocki, Historian of Southeast Asia 

Books by Malaysia RPCVs on a Malaysian theme

• "Wild Man from Borneo: Adventures of a Peace Corps Anarchist" by Dylan (David) Ferrero (Malaysia 14, 1966-68).  A coming-of-age memoir, described by author as a "wild ride through the jungles of Borneo". 

• "Finding Miss Fong" (Atmosphere Press, 2023), a remembrance by Jim Wolter (Malaya 1, 1961-65) of his Peace Corps days and courtship of Miss Fong Moke Chee. See review on Peace Corps Worldwide

• "Saviors" (Houghton Mifflin, 1999), a novel set in Malaysia by Paul Eggers (Malaysia 82, 1976-78), also see his book of short stories, "How the Water Feels" (SMU Press, 2002).

• "More Alike Than Different: A Peace Corps Memoir of Malaysian Borneo, 1967-1969" by Kate Griffin Flaherty (Malaysia 18 1967-69).

• "At The Table of Want," (Amazon 2009) a novel by Larry Kimport (Malaysia 98, 1980-82). 

• "In The Long Run" memoir by Robert Schul, an Olympic champion (1964, 5,000 meters) and the Peace Corps coach of the Malaysian national track team (1971-72)

• "Living in the Ulu: Letters from Peace Corps Volunteer in Malaysia, 1967-68" by Ed Demerly (2023). Also see Interview on local Michigan TV station.

• "Shaitan" by Cody Benjamin (2018; read interview with author)

Sargent Shriver Distinguished Humanitarian Service RECIPIENTS

• 1995: Robert Pastor, The Carter Center, Atlanta, GA, RPCV Malaysia

• 1991: Marjorie May, Peace Corps Partnerships, Pen Argyle, PA, RPCV Malaysia 

• 1989: Paul Thompson, co-founder of "Skiers Ending Hunger," RPCV Malaysia. Paul Thompson, and spouse, Mindy, write one the most interesting travel blogs on the Internet. Read about them here and follow their adventures here.

Malaysia RPCVs' Significant Achievements 

• Richard "Kinky" Friedman (1944 – 2024; PCV Malaysia 16, 1967-68) American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. His last album "Poet of Motel 6" is described in a NYT review as a heartfelt emotional poetic farewell, quite unlike his earlier satirical music. 

• Paul Spencer Sochaczewski (aka Paul Wachtel PCV Malaysia 24, 1969-71, Sarawak) is the author of 20 books, on Southeast Asia, natural history, conservation, and the legacy of Alfred Russell Wallace (19th century SEA naturalist and co-discover of the theory of evolution).

• Leonard P. Edwards (PCV Malaysia 14, 1966-68, Sarawak), Juvenile Court Judge, author, lecturer, consultant, award recipient for improving outcomes of children and adolescents. 1964 Mississippi Civil Rights Volunteer. 

• Charles Donahue (PCV Malaysia 15, 1966-68, Terengganu, TB Control), Distinguished 50-year career in health care, beginning with Peace Corps service in Ethiopia and Malaysia, Co-founder and president of one of New England’s largest health networks. Author, consultant, lecturer, civic and philanthropic activist

•  Terence Clarke (PCV,1965-67 Malaysia 12, Sarawak), Author of more than a dozen books, including fiction, non-fiction, and short stories. His first two books of fiction: "The Day Nothing Happened" (Mercury House, 1988) and "The King of Rumah Nadai" (Mercury House, 1994) are set in Sarawak.

• Thaine A. Allison, Jr. (PCV North Borneo/Sarawak I, 1962-64,). Hollowood producer, director, and actor. PCV in the first group of PCVs posted to Sabah, then still the British colony of North Borneo.  Current Vice president (acting president) of "Friends of Malaysia." 

• Edwin C. Price (PCV  North Borneo/Sarawak I,1962-64,). Professor of Agricultural Economics. Texas A&M University Howard G. Buffett Endowed Chair on Conflict and Development and Director of Center on Conflict and Development (2012-present). Founding Director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture (1994-2012).

•   Al Kordesch (PCV Malaysia 37 1971-74) identified and photographed 2,266  species on iNaturalist

Malaysia RPCV Memoirs and Interviews

• Gus Breymann (Sabah/Sarawak 4) writes "A Sabah Sojourn,"  "A Sabah Journey Part II," "...Part III)

• "Peace Corps Stories" by Ted Pack about his adventures as a PCV in Saratok, Sarawak, 1970 - 72. 

• "A Personal Narrative: The Peace Corps’ First Two Years in Sarawak" by Llyn De Danaan (Lynn

•  Patterson). Borneo Research Bulletin. Vol.48:168-184, 2017.

• Interview of Leon "Lon" Muffett, (PCV 20 & 65) discusses his memories of teaching English in Kedah in the 1970s (and also his memorable rendition of Negaraku from his Facebook page). The interview was conducted by Predeep Nambia, journalist with Free Malaysia Today. Also, see this Malay Mail article (17 Apr 2020) about Lon Muffet.

• Peace Corps Worldwide: Malaysia RPCV Writers Peace Corps Worldwide celebrates the Peace Corps experience by publishing stories from around the world by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs), to share with all who have a desire for international understanding.

• The Museum of the Peace Corps Experience collects and preserves stories and objects of material culture donated by volunteers who served in communities around the globe. Contributions from Malaysia PCVs include New Teacher Arrives by Ken Shuey and Songket Cloth by Ron Myers.

Malaysia RPCVs who served in the U.S. Foreign Service 

(President Kennedy wanted to change the Foreign Service with the infusion of Peace Corps men and women, telling Sargent Shriver in 1963 as the first contingent of volunteers were coming home, “Let me know if there is anything I can do, because these are the guys to get into the Foreign Service” (Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman All You Need is Love: The Peace Corps and the Spirit of the 1960s p. 117). One estimate is that about 10 percent of Foreign Service Officers are RPCVs, including Malaysia PCVs): Michael Anderson (Malaysia 20, 1968-71), Julia Chang Bloch (Sabah/Sarawak 4,1964-66), Marjorie Harrison (1974-76), Jamari Salleh (1973-75), Charles Silver (Malaysia 20), William Weinhold (Malaya 1), Robert C. Schmidt (Sabah/Sarawak 3, 1963-66), Daniel P. Claffey (Malaysia 30, 1970-72), Robert W. Fitts (Malaysia 30, 1970-72)

renowned RPCV sCHOLARS OF Southeast Asian Studies

Malaysia RPCVs who Returned to Malaysia and Southeast Asia