David Guerin

Waynesville, David Vincent Guerin, age 93, of Meadowview Circle died on Monday, February 15, 2010 at Autumn Care of Waynesville. He was a native of Long Island City, New York and had previously lived in Bradenton, Florida before moving to Haywood County where he had resided for the past 23 years. He was the son of the late David E. and Rose Wartenburg Guerin. He was a US Army Sergeant who served during World War II. He earned his Doctorate of Education Degree at Columbia University and was Coordinator of Instruction Material at Garden City Public Schools in Long Island, New York for 12 years, retiring in 1975. David later was employed at Haywood Community College as an instructor of philosophy and was a member of the Church of Religious Science/Creative Thought Center. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ellamarie Guerin; a daughter, Mary Ellen Clark of Pasadena, Maryland; two grandchildren; and one great grandchild. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in the Waynesville chapel of Wells Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service. Flowers are appreciated or donations may be made to the HART Theater, 250 Pigeon Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, the Creative Thought Center, The New Spiritual Home Fund, 741 S. Haywood Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, or the Haywood Community College Foundation, 185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721. ***************************************************** David V. Guerin, Ed.D NOT A RESUME but A collection of information about David Guerin that highlights what makes him tick, explains the depth of his philosophy and dedication to his work, and the extent of his talent. I EARLIEST YEARS His mother and father were both deaf mutes. He did not know his mother, who died when he was 1 1/2. He was reared by his aunt and uncle who could speak and hear. He was, at an early age, cast in the role of translator - and because of being very sensitive to communication - saw it early on as more than words, but as a process. II SCHOOL YEARS Ran for class president in high school - came in third. Took undergraduate work at Fordham University for a B.S.. Enjoyed four years of Philosophy and Religion - philosophy as disciplines: Cosmology, Epistemology, Logic, and Ontology. The most intriguing exchange to him was over the definition of sin because it was defined as a violation of conscience, which led him to the question of personalization and the role of the church. Went on to Columbia and took an M.A. in English. Switched to Teachers College and majored in Curriculum Development and minored in Communication for the Ed.D.. Designed a Group Process and Interaction Analysis Laboratory as a doctoral project. As a result, he acquired a deep understanding of group process and group dynamics. The communication thread continued. He met John Dewey. He became even more sensitized to communication, seeing public education (and private) as a societal effort to "communicate" or "pass on" heritage. During this time, he developed insight on how educational methodology could be improved by taking cues from the communication process. III EMPLOYMENT Held a series of progressive civil service positions. - Director, Film Library Ft. Monmouth, NJ - Head of Human Factors Branch, Battlefield Surveillance System, Ft. Huachua, AZ - Developer, Training Requirements and Programs, Battlefield Surveillance System, Ft. Huachua, AZ This led to private employment with: - The RAND Corporation -Systems Development Div., Santa Monica, Cal - The Arabian American Oil Co. - Saudi Arabia - Kepner and Tregoe - Mgmt. Training, NY, NY His strongest experience was in dealing with hundreds of fellow think-tankers, regularly thinking "out of the box". He learned the power of training through close simulation and learned to apply the basic principles of teaching methodology to the training of Arabs (using the "discovery approach"). After returning from Arabia, he went back to education per se. - The University of Delaware, Newark, Del - Adjunct Professor with NYU, U of Iowa, Hofstra, Adelphi - The Garden City Public Schools, Long Island, NY At U of Del. he specialized in developing appropriate materials to solve teaching/learning problems. The same happened at the Garden City Public School District where he also servedas the Director of Adult Education and prepared grants. He found it wonderful working with an entire district. He also gave environmental education a strong push. IV RETIREMENT - Founded R.E.A.P. - the Institute for Retired Executives and Professionals - a year long curriculum built on sharing the members' professional knowledge and personal interests with one another and the community. Also ran public issue discussions. He received support from the local community college and the local paper in Bradenton/Sarasota Florida. - Founded the Pre-University Institute, a special effort to teach thinking skills to middle and high school students. - Brought the extraordinary film MINDWALK to the Beaucatcher Cinema, Asheville NC. A panel discussion followed in the theatre after each showing. There was great astonishment when it repeatedly sold out. After the Beaucatcher Cinema showings, the program continued in the Diana Wortham Theatre. Ever since, he has used it as a standard in teaching thinking skills. Fritjof Capra, upon whose work the film is based, has given permission for duplication of the entire script for use in the course. Each student receives a copy. - Created the Skill of Thinking course at Haywood Community College. Based in the paradigm that everything in the universe is totally interrelated and interconnected, the course is fueled by the concept that intelligence is the ability to see relationships. Putting these two concepts together opens the door to never ending exploration of connections. The numerous guests he involved were asked to be sure to relate their special area of interest to the paradigm, stressing its interrelatedness to the entire field of knowledge. He always dealt with the ultimate epistemological problem: "How do we know what we know?" - Founded the non-judgmental, non-proselytizing discussion group - Philosophy, Phun and Phellowship - an enjoyable, free-wheeling exploration of philosophy, culture and community. - Organized a large open forum discussion - "What Does It Mean To Be Human?" - based on the book of the same name. The question was addressed not only by distinguished panelists but also by distinguished dancers and musicians. By request, he did a sequel entitled "What Will It Mean To Be Human In An Advanced Technological Age?". - Now serving on the Board of the Black Mountain College Museum and Arts Center. This experimental school was one of the worlds most extraordinary and highly successful educational institutions. It married the arts and the sciences and attracted the interest and support of such influential thinkers as Albert Einstein, John Dewey, and Buckminster Fuller, plus an array of great artists. BMCMAC is dedicated to passing on the inspiration and creativity of Black Mountain College. NOTES: David is looking forward to doing something at the Lake Logan locale because it speaks so eloquently to everything he has come to believe. SUMMARY As I look back at my life I see one constant thread: Communication. I see it running through my earliest childhood years as the child of deaf mute parents, reared in a speak and hear environment - right through my work at RAND, as well as overseas and back to the world of academe. As I continued with my enlightenment, the core concept of communication became more and more pronounced and profound, merging as it did with the concept of universal interconnection and the systems concept. My history may seem to some to be a clash of ideas. It turns instead into a new ever-developing symphony, bringing part/whole, whole/part, absolute/relative, relative/absolute into unity; shaping itself into the ultimate paradigm. The implications for good are tremendous. My hope and belief is that the vision of total connection will lead to the acquisition of such a clear perception that it will ultimately lead to over-coming problems with all manner of relationships or social crisis issues. Where there are perceived relationships there is common ground.... and hope. That is why I have found putting the paradigm forward (in various guises) to be my life work. P.S. Would doubly enjoy doing it all at beautiful Lake Logan. DAVID V. GUERIN, August 2006 PO BOX 203 WAYNESVILLE, NC 28786 (828)452-6211 born: 8/23/16 ****************************************************** The philosophy of nature First Earth/Spirit Gathering set for Lake Logan by Tracy Rose in Vol. 8 / Iss. 38 on 05/01/2002 Share If you're looking for the ideal setting for connecting with nature, Dave Guerin thinks you won't do much better than Lake Logan. That's why the self-described philosopher chose the Haywood County spot for an event he's dubbed the Lake Logan Earth/Spirit Gathering, a weekend filled with speakers, song, dance and, of course, philosophical discussions. The indefatigable Waynesville resident (who seems considerably younger than his 85 years) is spearheading the weekend's events in hopes that folks will soak up nature and apprehend the linkages binding all life. "The universe ... is suffering from a crisis of perception," offers Guerin. "And we don't see it. We don't see that everything, indeed, is interconnected. There's no such thing as standing aside and saying, 'Oh, well, I won't suffer consequences.'" That holds for racism and other social ills as well as for environmental blights such as pollution, Guerin points out. "Let's face it: We came out of the Earth, and we'll go back to the Earth," he observes. "We wouldn't be anything without nature. We wouldn't be anywhere. We wouldn't exist." Lake Logan itself could be considered a testament to the power of nature and spirit. Once owned by Champion International, then by Blue Ridge Paper Products, the lake's fate became a subject of concern after Blue Ridge decided to sell the lake and 300 surrounding acres. A local "Save Lake Logan" campaign was mounted to preserve the local treasure from development, says Guerin, and the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina ended up buying the property. Fittingly, the Lake Logan Earth/Spirit Gathering is the first major event held there since the change in ownership (about two years ago). The philosopher's promotional instincts kick in when he describes the value of the weekend's events. "It hardly needs pointing out that this is a fantastic bargain," says the press packet. Highlights include a keynote address by the Rev. Bill Bailey of Asheville on a new alliance between the faith community, science and the environmental movement. In addition, WLOS-TV weatherman/outdoors essayist Bob Caldwell will discuss WNC's natural beauty. Native American stories, music and dance will enliven the weekend, along with jazz, Celtic and country music. Dana Davis of the Asheville-based JD Project will perform a dance created for the occasion, and the Frank Southecorvo Earth/Spirit Combo will unveil a new jazz composition inspired by Lake Logan. Trail guides will lead participants on woodland walks and a sunrise hike, and homing pigeons will be released for added effect -- twice. Philosophy, Phun and Phellowship, a philosophical discussion group, is presenting the Gathering, in cooperation with the Intentional Growth Center at Lake Junaluska. Guerin founded PH3 about 12 years ago as a way to bring folks together for nonjudgmental philosophical exploration. Guerin credits his unusual upbringing in Long Island City, N.Y., with leading him toward philosophy. The son of parents who could neither hear nor speak, he found himself always translating for his father (his mother died when he was a baby). "I grew up in a mixed world in terms of communication," recalls Guerin. "So I became very sensitive to communication. And if you're sensitive to communication, it kind of leads you into philosophy." A high-school English teacher also sparked his interest in philosophy, which was strengthened by undergraduate courses at Fordham University. Guerin earned his Ed.D in curriculum development and communication at Columbia University and went on to work for the RAND Corporation in a program that trained the people operating the nation's air-defense systems. When Guerin retired to WNC, he wound up teaching critical-thinking courses at Haywood Community College for about 10 years. In addition, he organized forums in Asheville on the topic of "what it means to be human." Guerin's goal for the upcoming Lake Logan Earth/Spirit Gathering is simple: "What I would like is that [participants] will go away feeling more connected ... with one another and with nature." Earth connection The first Lake Logan Earth/Spirit Gathering takes place May 31-June 2 at Lake Logan in Haywood County. Fees for the weekend event -- including meals -- are $118/person (without lodging), $148/person (bunk bed) and $188/person (twin bed). For more info or to register, call Guerin at 452-6211 or Brenda Cathey at 646-0095. ****************************************************** PH3 - Philosphy, Phun & Phellowship Have you ever had a yearning for the pleasure of getting together with a group of bright, congenial people to share the cultural experience of several exceptional performing artists and an informed group discussion on an important topic or brilliant idea? Have you given up on ever finding friendly people who are interested in cultivating their intellectual skills, attuning their intuitions, retesting their philosophical beliefs, rediscovering the old and exploring afresh the new frontiers of human knowledge ... the new paradigms ... or just sharing discoveries that help in living life fully? If so, then Philosophy, Phun and Phellowship awaits you!! Our emphasis is on group participation and personal involvement with a thorough & balanced presentation serving as a catalyst for discussion. All in a non-judgmental, non-proselytizing environment. The presentation is framed by short, introductory performances by talented performing artists who exemplify the creative full life and inspire both wonder & delight. At some PH3 venues, gourmet food may be served to complete your Philosophy, Phun and Phellowship experience. We can help you to create a PH3 event in your community, and begin a rich cultural dialogue that can last a lifetime!

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