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Malham Wakin

1931 - 2024

Malham Wakin obituary, 1931-2024, Colorado Springs, CO

BORN

1931

DIED

2024

FUNERAL HOME

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

501 North Cascade Avenue

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Malham Wakin Obituary

Wakin
Malham "Mal" Wakin
March 31, 1931
July 30, 2024

Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin, USAF, Retired

Malham Wakin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and retired philosophy/ethics professor from the USAFAcademy, passed away on ­­­­­July 30, 2024 at the age of 93.
Born in Oneonta, New York, to Chickory Wakin and Hattie Nauseef Wakin, he was one of five children. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the small town of Oneonta where he learned the values of a strong Catholic faith, love of family, and honest work. He started working at a young age, delivering newspapers to help support his family. He later used his skills and love of golf to work as a caddy, groundskeeper and assistant manager at the Oneonta Country Club. Golf ultimately helped him to finance his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame University and became a life-long passion for him.
He was a voracious reader, reading every book in the public library during his elementary and high school years. His literary tastes spanned from Westerns (he owned, read and re-read every book written by Louis Lamour) to Mysteries and Crime dramas to Classical literature. He loved to sing and knew the words to thousands of songs; but his two favorite songs were "Amazing Grace" and "Silent Night" which highlighted his tenor voice. He loved the outdoors whether golfing, hiking or working on the yard but his greatest satisfaction was being "an old fashioned schoolteacher." More than anything else, he was happiest when he was teaching and inspiring young people to be their best.
He graduated from high school in Oneonta, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 from the University of Notre Dame. He began his teaching career at the Air Force Academy in 1959 and served as Professor and Head of the Department of Philosophy, Chairman of the Humanities Division, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean, Chair and member of numerous academic committees. He served on active duty with the Air Force from 1953 to 1995 including early tours as an Air Rescue navigator and a combat tour in Vietnam in 1968. He holds a number of military decorations including the Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit (three). He was the first Permanent Professor of the Department of Philosophy appointed in 1964. Following his retirement in 1995, he remained as a Professor Emeritus at the Air Force Academy until 2016. His career spanned 42 years on active duty and 57 years of teaching at the Academy.
He was recognized by People Magazine as one of twelve "great professors" (October 13, 1975). He was the subject of a feature article in the November 19, 1984 issue of Newsweek. He has authored or edited five books. War, Morality and the Military Profession, (1979) is a widely used textbook in all branches of the US military academies, as well as some foreign military academies. His most recent book (2000) is entitled, Integrity First: Reflections of a Military Philosopher.
He helped found and then chaired the Joint Services Conference on Professional Ethics (J-SCOPE) from 1979 to 1993. He served as ethics advisor to the U.S. Olympic Committee for 13 years. In addition to his career responsibilities for the Air Force, he was active with the Pikes Peak Forum for Health Care Ethics. He was a member of the ethics committee of the El Paso County Medical Society. He was also a member of the Colorado Springs Medical-Legal Ethics Club.
In retirement Mal was cherished as a beacon for both family and friends for his wisdom and knowledge as well as his calm and supportive nature when facing the challenges of life.
Mal was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Bertha Wakin and Christine Van Dewerker, his older brother, Abraham Wakin and his daughter, Susan Anne Wakin.
He was married to Marion Wakin (1954-1974) and had five daughters. Following the death of his first wife, he married Linda Nelson Mack Wakin (1976 - Present). They joined their two families and combined had a total of eight children.
Malham is survived by his wife, Linda Nelson Mack Wakin, daughter, Pamela Wakin Mione and husband, John Kelly Mione of Seminole, Florida; daughter, Mary Wakin Machado and husband, Joe Machado of Redding, California; daughter, Margaret Wakin Anderson and husband, Justus Anderson of Peyton, Colorado; daughter, Mala Wakin Brindisi and husband, Joseph Brindisi of Hoschton, Georgia; step-daughter, Kelly Mack Wallroth and husband, Joseph Richard Wallroth of Colorado Springs, Colorado; step-son, Keith Nelson Thomas Mack and wife, Nanci Martinez Mack of Boulder, Colorado; and step-daughter, Karen Mack Kreski of Littleton, Colorado and sister, Jennie Wakin Stahl of Oneonta, New York. Mal and Linda are the blessed grandparents of 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at St Peter Catholic Church in Monument, CO on Wednesday August 7 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the USAF Academy Cemetery. Please visit dignitymemorial.com online to leave condolences and messages for the family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Aug. 4, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Malham Wakin

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James Scofield O'Rourke, IV

November 30, 2024

Colonel Mal Wakin (before he retired as a Brigadier General) was my closest friend and ally on the faculty of the U.S. Air Force Academy (1978-1983). Perhaps it was because we both graduated from Notre Dame and were avid readers in philosophy and ethics. Or perhaps it was because he would sit and listen to anyone with a problem, sincerely looking for guidance or a directional heading. He provided advice on parenting, help with managing the work of others, and often assistance in understanding life. I've never known another man quite like him; it's unlikely I ever will. Mal Wakin was extraordinary beyond measure. The Air Force and Notre Dame have been the beneficiaries of his energy, his dedication, and his extraordinary mind. My family will miss his thoughtful, handwritten Christmas cards and incredibly insightful advice.
Lt. Col. James S. O'Rourke, USAF (Ret.) and Professor of Management and Organization, University of Notre Dame

Jim Golden

August 30, 2024

I was very fortunate to draw then Col Wakin as my instructor for Intro to Military Philosophy. He was easily my most memorable instructor and succeeded in stimulating an otherwise dull mind. Blessed to have known and learned from this great man.

Jim Golden, USAFA '87

Rick Gutowski

August 11, 2024

Whose a Man?
He's a Man!
He's A Notre Dame Man!
All our prayers.
Notre Dame Club of Charleston

Ronald Murray

August 10, 2024

Col Wakin was my most favorite and respected instructors at the AFA!!
Major Ronald Murray

Dana H. Born

August 7, 2024

Dear Lynn and Wakin family:

We were deeply saddened to learn of Mal´s passing. What a remarkable man, and even more remarkable life having proudly served his country during times of peace, conflict and war. His service at the Academy is especially laudable - setting the gold standard as the "old fashioned schoolteacher" and inspiring thousands of cadets to lead lives of purpose while instilling within them the virtues of honor, integrity, courage, commitment, and selfless service. He was truly one of a kind!

Personally, we have so many fond memories of you and Mal visiting our Dean´s quarters during my tenure at USAFA. We´re also grateful for the many kindnesses he extended our young children particularly after encountering them following Mass at the base community chapel - always asking how the kids were doing and what they were up to and offering nuggets of inspiration and encouragement.

Sir Issac Newton famously said "If I have seen further (than most), it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants"... and to me and countless of other graduates Mal will always be that giant.

We will pray that you and your family find quick consolation knowing that your amazing husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather has found the eternal peace and happiness he truly deserves.

With great respect and deepest condolences.

The Born Family

(Dana, Tim, Hanna & Heather)

John Ricca Baton Rouge, LA

August 7, 2024

I remember serving with then Col. Wakin on the Parish Council of the Community Center Catholic Church in the early 70's. I believe I still have he photo from People Magazine. My condolences to his family.

Greg Serveiss

August 7, 2024

General Wakin was a great mentor and friend to me and my. His moral example and family values were ones I was challenged to emulate. Most of all, he was a good Christian friend. It was a privilege to have known him and his family.

Dick & Susanna

August 5, 2024

Mal, We enjoyed visiting you on Sundays. You were always happy and cheerful.

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Aug

7

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 a.m.

St Peter Catholic Church

Monument, CO

Funeral services provided by:

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501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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