DATE: Thursday, July 10, 1997               TAG: 9707100398

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   58 lines

MARVIN W. SCHLEGEL

Marvin Wilson Schlegel, 87, died July 8, 1997, in Virginia Beach General Hospital.

Mr. Schlegel was a native of Thompsontown, Pa., and held a B.A. degree from Susquehanna University and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University in American History and Government. He did his post-doctoral study at the University of Vienna, the Sorbonne and the Johann Wolfgang von Goethe University at Frankfurt, Germany. He traveled extensively in Western Europe and the East, and spent the summer of 1964 in Eastern Europa and Russia.

Dr. Schlegel began his professional career in 1929 as assistant principal and teacher of social studies at Thompsontown, Pa., and from 1939 until 1942 was reference assistant in the Archives Division, Pennsylvania State Library. From 1942 until 1947 he served as assistant state historian, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission and was in charge of Pennsylvania's World War II History Program. He was head of the History and Government Department of the College of William and Mary (St. Helene Extension) 1947-48, and joined the faculty of Longwood College as assistant professor for the 1948-49 school year. In 1954 he was promoted to full professor and remained with the college through the 1965-66 school year.

In 1966 they moved to Virginia Beach and both he and his wife began teaching at Norfolk State University. They retired in 1978.

While he lived in Farmville, he was president of the Prince Edward Council on Human Relations. When Prince Edward County fought integration and closed its public schools, the council tried to develop better communication between blacks and whites. When the community's churches began housing private schools, the Schlegels withdrew their memberships.

Dr. Schlegel has written several books, including: ``Conscripted City: Norfolk in World War II,'' which he wrote in 1951; ``Virginia on Guard: Civilian Defense and the State Militia in the Second World War,'' completed in 1949; and ``Ruler of the Readings: The Life of Franklin B. Gowen, 1836-1889,'' which he wrote in 1947. He co-authored books which include: ``Cavalier Commonwealth: History and Government of Virginia'' and ``Norfolk: Historic Southern Port.''

Dr. Schlegel was a member of Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. He was an avid cook, bridge player, photographer and sports enthusiast and led a busy life despite having had polio as an infant and using crutches and a wheelchair.

Following retirement he was active as a phone counselor for the Contact Tidewater Crisis Intervention Hotline. He remained active in the Kiwanis until very recently.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dr. Dorothy Badders Schlegel; two sisters, Gwendolyn Cramer of Landenburg, Pa., and Mabel Sherwood McClure of Thompsontown; and several nieces and nephews.

A church service will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, July 11, 1997, at Galilee Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach by the Rev. Calvin G. Gardner.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a scholarship fund for college students in Dr. Schlegel's name. Contributions can be mailed to the ``Marvin Schlegel Scholarship Fund,'' c/o First Coastal Bank, P.O. Box 848, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23451. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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