Morris A. Parslow *55

Morris Parslow, a retired professor emeritus of French at Grinnell College, died Aug. 25, 2010. He was 88.

In May 1942, after his freshman year at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., Parslow enlisted in the Army. Discharged in October 1945, he returned to his studies and received a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s in 1948. Aided by the GI Bill, he went to France and studied French literature at the University of Grenoble and at the University of Strasbourg. Parslow then came to Princeton, and received his Ph.D. in modern languages and literature in 1955.

Parslow then taught at the University of Chicago and the State University of New York before joining Grinnell College in 1962. At Grinnell, he rose to full professor, served as chair of the French department, chair of the humanities division, and for two years was chair of the faculty. He retired in 1992.  

A teacher first and foremost, his character was shaped by his Methodist upbringing and his memories of the Great Depression.

He is survived by Michèle, his wife of 59 years; four children; and two granddaughters.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.