STANLEY P. WASSON Ph.D.

1923 - 2018

WASSON
STANLEY P. PhD

Retired Drexel University History Professor, died May 21, 2018 at the age of 94. Stanley was born Nov. 13, 1923 in Turtle Lake, ND, born to Howard and Emma Wasson. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Eunice "Dolly" Wasson. He leaves behind his two sons: Philip Wasson, his wife Sarah and daughter Sophie. Cory Wasson, his wife Lisa and daughter Colby.
Stanley grew up on a 160-acre ranch in a small ranching village of 550 people and was greatly influenced by his humble, hardworking, small town roots. Stanley and his family were severely tested by the depression of the 1930's. Crippled by polio at the age of 2, he developed his love of reading while going through the treatment and recovery of the polio. In 1940, he entered Jamestown College, where his love of reading blossomed into a love of academia. Disqualified for military service by the polio, he pursued his advanced degrees in education. Upon graduating Jamestown College with his BA. He attended and taught at the University of Washington where he earned his MA. He taught at the University of Pennsylvania before going to the University of Minnesota where he earned his PHD. Upon earning his PHD he joined the faculty at Case Institute of Technology in 1949 where he taught for 11 years with one year at M.I.T. on an exchange program. While at Case he met and married his true love Dolly Wheaton. In 1960 he was invited to come to Drexel University by a Chairperson he had known in graduate school. He would spend the next 28 years teaching at Drexel, except for one year where he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to teach at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. While at Drexel he won the Lindback Teaching Award, was appointed to several committees and for ten years served as the Chairman of the History and Politics Department. He retired in 1988. The family would spend their summers traveling the United Sates camping in a VW camper.
Stanley and Dolly maintained a home on Bryn Mawr Avenue in Bala Cynwyd for 51 years where they raised their two sons. Honoring his wishes, there will be no services, and a private burial.