RPCV News
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
"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)
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
Malaysia RPCVs' Significant Achievements
Leonard P. Edwards (PCV, 1966-68, Sarawak), Juvenile Court Judge, author, lecturer, consultant, awardee on improving outcomes of children and adolescents. 1964 Mississippi Civil Rights Volunteer.
Charles Donahue (PCV, 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 book, "Day Nothing Happened" (Mercury House, 1988) is a novel set in Sarawak.
Thaine A. Allison, Jr. (PCV, 1962-64, North Borneo/Sarawak I). 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."
Al Kordesch (PCV, 1971-74, Malaysia 37) has identified and photographed 1,960 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), Marjorie Harrison (1974-76), Jamari Salleh (1973-75), Charles Silver (Malaysia 20), William Weinhold (Malaya 1), Robert C. Schmidt (Sabah/Sarawak 3, 1963-66)