Donald Kendrick Adams

ADAMS, DONALD K. “DON”
Age 92, of Wilkins Township, died on Monday, May 29, 2017. As a Professor of Education, Economic and Social Development at the University of Pittsburgh, Don was known as a conscientious and caring teacher as well as being internationally recognized for his work in educational planning, policy and evaluation. He authored several books and over 100 articles, book chapters, and reports on international education and served as a consultant to organizations such as the Peace Corps, the Ford Foundation, USAID (United States Agency for International Development), World Bank, Asian Development Bank and several UN agencies in over 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Known as a dedicated mentor, many of his former doctoral students have gone on to serve as leaders in education in their own countries and internationally. Don was born on February 21, 1925, North Berwick, Maine to Howard Adams and Amy (Welch) Adams, the youngest of five children. Volunteering for the US Army Air Force on his 18th birthday, he served as a navigator in WWII, until his B-17 was shot down. After being liberated from a German prison camp, Don returned to New England and under the GI Bill completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in mathematics at the University of New Hampshire. While pursuing his Ph.D. in education at the University of Connecticut, he was recalled to active duty as a member of the Connecticut National Guard and served as an aircraft controller of an Icelandic radar station. In 1959, while teaching at Vanderbilt University, Don met Janet Cabe of Tulsa, Oklahoma. They married in 1960. In 1962 he joined the faculty of Syracuse University and came to the University of Pittsburgh in 1969. In addition to his professional activities, Don was an active supporter of his children’s interests and activities. This led to him taking up long-distance running, earning top honors in his age group in races throughout the area for many years. A devoted father and husband, Don is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet; his son, Lance of Austin, TX; daughter, Amy; and grandson, Rémy of San Leandro, CA.   Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (www.alzdiscovery.org)  Arrangements made by WOLFE MEMORIAL, INC.,  412-731-5001.