Dr. Rorin Platt

1954 - 2016

Dr. Rorin Morse Platt

April 21, 1954 - October 2, 2016

Raleigh

Dr. Rorin Morse Platt, 62, died peacefully October 2, 2016, at his home in Raleigh after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was born on April 21, 1954 in Roanoke, VA, to Sam and Virginia Johnson Platt.

Dr. Platt graduated in 1972 from Grimsley High School in Greensboro, NC. He received a B.A. in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1976, an M.A. in Modern European History from UNC-Greensboro in 1979, and a Ph.D. in American History from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1989. His specialty was American foreign relations and diplomatic history.

In his teaching career, Dr. Platt served as chair, Department of History at St. Stephen's School, Alexandria, VA; history teacher and class dean at The McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN; headmaster of St. Timothy's-Hale School, Raleigh; and lead teacher and director of the summer history program, Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry, VA. In Raleigh, Dr. Platt also taught history at Meredith College and William Peace University. He last worked as an associate professor of history at Campbell University where he also instructed military personnel at Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, and Camp Lejeune.

Dr. Platt authored a number of books and articles, including his book Virginia in Foreign Affairs, 1933-1941. He also served as a book review editor for American Diplomacy. His awards include the Commitment to Excellence in Education Award, the Parents of St. Timothy's-Hale School; and the Keo-Kio Distinguished Teaching Award, The McCallie School. In addition, the student body of Campbell University voted Dr. Platt as "Professor of the Year" in 2009.

Dr. Platt served on the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Advisory Committee and was a member of the Raleigh History Club. He also played on the UNC-G varsity tennis team and coached tennis at The McCallie School and St. Stephen's School.

Dr. Platt is survived by his wife, Luidmila Fedorovna Platt; and step-son, Vladimir A. Konovalov. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Darlene Foutz, of Greensboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Dr. Rorin Morse Platt to his home church, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4523 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609, where he taught church history to confirmation classes. A burial service will be conducted by Fr. Jay C. James, Rector, at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 4523 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27609, at 11 a.m., Saturday, October 29, 2016.