In Memoriam: Dr. William Macfarlane Park

1930 - 2007

r. William Macfarlane Park, 77, of Chapel Hill, died Sunday, October 14, 2007, at UNC Hospitals. A scholar and educator, he will be remembered for his intelligence, wit and kindness to family, friends, colleagues and students.

Dr. Park was born February 7, 1930, in Stirling, Scotland, to Charles Park, a police constable, and Janet Macfarlane Park, a homemaker. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh, where he studied languages. After emigrating to the United States, he enlisted in the Air Force and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant.

After completing his service, he stayed in Germany, working as a professional photographer, writing and performing radio dramas, and pursuing graduate studies at the University of Hamburg.

Upon returning to the United States, Dr. Park worked as an escort interpreter for the State Department, accompanying German and Austrian dignitaries on their visits to this country. He also did further graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Colorado, from which he received his Ph.D. in German.

In 1972, Dr. Park began a distinguished career on the faculty of the Department of Languages and Cultural Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In addition to teaching German and serving as Director of the Language Labs, he was a founder of one of the nation's first Certificates in Translating and Interpreting, which is now offered to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Dr. Park served a two-year term as president of the Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters (CATI) in 1989-90 and seven additional years as a member of its board of directors. He was always supportive and willing to help during CATI's formative years and beyond. He was also an active member of the American Translators Association (ATA) and took active part in its accreditation (later certification) program. He was the author of the popular ATA publication Park's Guide to Translating and Interpreting Programs in North America, which the association continues to update. Many ATA members regarded him as a mentor and a role model.

A free flight model airplane enthusiast, he was a longtime member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics. He was also a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

Dr. Park was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years, Nancy Jones Park. He is survived by two sons, Ewan Charles Park, and his wife, Kathleen Ann Park, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; and Andrew Culbreth Park, and his wife, Cristina Marie Smith, of Chapel Hill. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Erin Marie Park, Julius Michael Park, Sara Mechelle Park, Lucas Solance Park, and Fiona Ruth Park.