Dr. Paul W. Welliver, 87, Wyomissing, PA, formerly of State College, PA, passed away August 7, 2018 in the Reading Hospital. He was the beloved husband of M. Margaret (Reynolds) Welliver, with whom he shared 62 years of marriage on July 7th. Born March 28, 1931 in Danville, PA, Paul was one of five sons of the late Rev. Dr. Lester A. Welliver and Eleanor F. F. (Yeaworth) Welliver.

Paul graduated from Westminster (MD) High School, where he participated in several varsity sports, including a state championship basketball team. In 1952, he graduated from Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, with a major in chemistry and a minor in mathematics. While at WMC he played football, including an undefeated season in 1951, and fondly recalled frequent visits from Dick Harlow and Rip Engle.

Paul taught science and mathematics at Manchester (MD) High School before entering the army during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he taught secondary school science in Williamsport, PA. In 1959, he spent a year as lecturer for the Oak Ridge (TN) Institute of Nuclear Studies. This led to his appointment as a science teacher on the North Carolina In-School Television Network. For five years, through daily live television broadcasts, Paul taught physical science to classrooms throughout the state. Paul received his PhD in Science Education from Penn State in 1965, while continuing to work for the North Carolina Department of Education. In 1967, he moved to Jackson, Mississippi to become the Director of Education for the new Mississippi Authority for Educational Television.

In 1969, Dr. Welliver accepted a faculty position as professor in charge for the Instructional Media program in the College of Education at Penn State. He broadened the scope of the program from one primarily focused on teacher education to one that prepared professionals for all levels of education and training. The result was the creation of a program in Instructional Systems, which gained national recognition for the study of systematic applications of technology in schools, higher education and business and industrial training. In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, he developed programs for the teaching of elementary and middle school science as part of his continued research into the use of broadcast television to drive educational change. Later, as microcomputers were introduced into schools, he obtained funding to create a network of regional computer resource centers for educators.

Dr. Welliver filled a number of leadership roles in his field. In 1975-76 he was president of the Pennsylvania Learning Resources Association (PLRA) and, in 1983-84, president of the international Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). Awards included the Science Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Award from the National Science Teachers Association, The Pioneer Award from PLRA, and Distinguished Service Award from AECT. He remained active professionally for many years following retirement from Penn State in 1991.

Paul and Margaret were active members of the State College community and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for over 40 years before relocating to Berks County for a “second retirement” in 2011. Paul always enjoyed nature and outdoor activities. Summer vacations were spent at a rustic cottage on Ahmic Lake near Magnetawan in northern Ontario, Canada. This remote location has historical connections to both his and his wife’s families, and was in fact where they first met in 1953. In the 1970’s they acquired eighty-six acres of mountainous forestland in Central PA. Particularly after retirement, Paul became interested in managing and improving his woodlands for wildlife, timber and recreation through the Pennsylvania Forest Stewardship Program. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association and a charter member of the Woodland Owners of Centre County.

In addition to his wife, Dr. Welliver is survived by daughter Laura and granddaughter Morgan of Wyomissing, PA and daughter Gwen, her husband Ted Byfield, and granddaughter Myriel of New York City and Tallahassee, FL. He is also survived by one brother, Dr. Kenneth B. Welliver of Silver Spring, MD, along with six sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews and their families. Paul is predeceased by three brothers, the Rev. L. Allyn Welliver of Lewisburg, PA, Dr. Daniel I. Welliver of Westminster, MD, and Dr. Glenn E. Welliver of Greencastle, IN.

A Memorial Gathering is planned for October 6th at 2 pm at Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church, 1 Carlisle Avenue, Reading, PA 19609. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the church. Kuhn Funeral Home, West Reading, PA (www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com) is in charge of arrangements.