Sympathy to the Family and Former Colleagues of Scott Darwin, Professor Emeritus

Emeritus Professor of German Dr. Scott Darwin enjoyed a 39-year career with Arkansas State University

JONESBORO – The university community extends sympathy to the family, friends and former colleagues of Dr. Scott Darwin, emeritus professor of German, who died Jan. 29.

Darwin, who served as a member of the Arkansas State University faculty for 39 years, began his A-State career in 1969 and retired in 2008. The Faculty Association selected his name for inclusion on the Distinguished Faculty Wall of Honor in 2014.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in math at Hendrix College, and his master’s in German and Ph.D. in comparative literature, both from the University of Arkansas.

A longtime member of the Arkansas Association of Teachers of German, he taught multiple classes in the language and was adviser to the German Club. Darwin made multiple trips to Germany to enrich his knowledge of the language and culture. He co-directed a summer study tour in 1976, and returned the following year on a study grant. He participated in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in 1986-87, and travelled again, in 1992, to conduct research in the East German School systems of Thuringia and Saxony.

Known for his dedication to assisting and guiding students, Darwin also was an advocate and frequent volunteer in support of community advancement. He was among the first to publicly support preservation and restoration of the 1936 campus home of V.C. Kays, Arkansas State University’s first president. In recognition of his efforts, he received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Preservation Advocacy from the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas in 2015.

Survivors include his husband, Thomas Teoh; a sister and two brothers; and several other family members.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 531 West College Ave., followed by a brief interment of ashes service in St. Mark's columbarium. All are invited afterward to a reception and meal in the fellowship hall.

That evening, A-State will darken the clock tower of the Dean B. Ellis Library in memorial tribute to Darwin for his contributions to the university and to higher education. The complete obituary is online.