Fletcher Earle Gaulden

F. Earle Gaulden, 94, husband of Joan Campbell Gaulden of Greenville, died Sunday, October 20, 2024. Born July 11, 1930, in Laurens, SC, he was the son of the late Fletcher Earl and Frances Templeton Gaulden. He graduated from Laurens High School and held architectural degrees from both Clemson University and the Georgia Institute of Technology. First Lieutenant Gaulden served in the Korean War with the 7th Infantry Division, earning the Korean Service Medal and the Bronze Star.

In 1957, Gaulden and his close friend, Kirk Craig, founded the Greenville-based, award-winning architectural firm, now Craig Gaulden Davis. In a 1999 interview, he recalled that "they weren't as interested in making a mint as they were in making a name." Which they did. In the nearly fifty years before his 2005 retirement, Gaulden was instrumental in designing hundreds of houses, businesses, and public buildings, including the Greenville Museum of Art, The Greenville Little Theatre, and the Roper Mountain Science Center. He designed more than 50 public libraries across the southeast, and in 1985 received the Public Service Award from the South Carolina State Library for his impact on the State's public library system.

Gaulden actively served his profession. In 1965 he was President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and in 1985, was elevated to the AIA's College of Fellows - the highest honor that the national organization bestows on a member - for exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Gaulden served as a member or chairman of the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners for ten years, and as a director of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). As chair of the NCARB's Examination Committee, he oversaw the writing of the Architectural Registration Examination, the national test every US architect must pass to enter professional practice. In 1995, the AIA's South Carolina chapter awarded Gaulden its Medal of Distinction.

Out of his love for Clemson, Gaulden served as President of the Clemson Architectural Foundation and on University committees that guided design and implementation of the Military Heritage Plaza on Bowman Field and the Scroll of Honor Memorial to Clemson students who died in combat. He was awarded the Alumni Distinguished Service award by Clemson University in 2005.

Gaulden was a member and past president of Pleasantburg Rotary Club, a member of the Poinsett Club, and participated in numerous community endeavors.

Gaulden is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Joan C. Gaulden, and three children, Dean Gaulden Lake and Hunt Gaulden of Greenville, SC, and Margaret (Mags) Gaulden [Carolyn], of Ottawa, Canada; three grandchildren, Hannah Gaulden of Riverside, CA, Ben and Zach Cheevers of Ottawa, Canada; his sister-in-law, Nancy Gaulden of Landrum, SC and his nephew, Allen Gaulden [Jackie] of Simpsonville, SC. He is predeceased by his brother John Allen Gaulden of Greenville, SC.

A memorial gathering is planned for November 29, 2024, location and time to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to Clemson University Foundation. Please direct your gift to Craig, Gaulden and Davis Inc. Travel Fellowship in Architecture, A McClure Endowment Initiative in memory of Earle Gaulden. Gifts may be made online at iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving, by phone at (864) 656-5896 or by mail: Clemson University Annual Giving Office PO Box 1889 Clemson, SC 29633 or donations to one's charity of choice.