Grant Kohn Goodman ’46

At age 7, Grant was an avid collector of Asian stamps. By the time he graduated from high school, he was seriously pursuing Asian studies. Following our freshman semester, in 1942, he was accepted by the Army’s brand-new Intensive Japanese Language School for Military Intelligence.

By May 1945, as a second lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Service, Grant was in the Philippines interrogating Japanese prisoners. He then assisted in translating the Japanese Order of Battle and surrender terms delivered to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Until his discharge, he served in the headquarters of the supreme commander for the Allied Powers.

Grant earned a master’s degree in Far Eastern studies in 1949 and a Ph.D. in Japanese history in 1955, both from the University of Michigan. In 1962, the University of Kansas appointed him to help develop its Asian-studies program. There he became co-director of the East Asian Center. By his retirement in 1984, he had written nine books, edited or co-edited eight books, and published more than 45 articles. Known as an international scholar, he spoke fluent English, Dutch, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

When Grant died April 6, 2014, his only survivor was his brother, David.