William W. Monahan ’51

William W. Monahan ’51—whose rich life has been described as adventurous, visionary, and entrepreneurial—died at his home in Lanikai, Hawaii, on May 30. “Mo” said he lived his life in two phases. In the first 25 years after college he served as a decorated U.S. Marine Corps officer in Korea, earned a doctorate in education administration, was superintendent in two school districts, and was an elected member of the State House of Representatives in Hawaii. For the rest of his life Mo lived out his dreams in a diverse range of activities notable for their humanitarian—and fun—qualities. He built the largest hydroponic greenhouses on the islands. He conceived and executed—with the Oceanic Institute—a plan to revitalize Hawaii’s fish ponds. With his second wife, Pamela, he indulged a deep wanderlust, moving his family to New Zealand for long periods. While there, he published A Collection of Stories, Poems and Musings, studied (with Pamela) the Maori language, and developed his skills with the ukulele, harmonica, and piano. Mo’s zest for life was notable in everything he did. A remarkable athlete, he earned varsity letters at Dartmouth in wrestling and football and played on the College’s first rugby team. He especially loved the sea. He was in the vanguard of canoe sailing in Hawaii and paddled the Molokai Channel 21 times, the last at age 77. He is survived by Pamela and children Crystal, Daniel, Keoni, Margaret, and Sencia.