ALMANAC BETWEEN ISSUES June 2, 2000
DEATH
Memorial Service: Dr. Halbfass
A memorial service will be held tomorrow for Dr. Wilhelm Halbfass, professor of Indian Philosophy in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and South Asia Regional Studies, who died May 25 after suffering a brain hemorrhage and lapsing into a coma on May 23. Dr. Halbfass had just turned 60 years old. His current research revolved around historical studies on the theory of karma and rebirth; ethics and ritualism in the Indian tradition; development of intellectual relations between India and the West. He was also preparing a textbook on Indian thought.
He had been on the faculty at Penn since 1973 when he was came as a visiting lecturer and then became an associate professor the following year. He was promoted to full professor in 1982. In 1997 his work was recognized by 25 colleagues and former students in the book Beyond Orientalism: The Work of Wilhelm Halbfass and its Impact on Indian and Cross-Cultural Studies, edited by E. Franco and K. Preisendanz (Amsterdam and Atlanta, Rodopi).
He is survived by his wife, Helga; two daughters; his parents and a brother. The memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 3, at 11 a.m. in the Chadwick and McKinney Funeral Home, Athens Avenue and Simpson Road in Ardmore.
Posted 6/2/2000