Remembering Paul Wilt

Paul Wilt, Westmont professor emeritus of history, died June 23 at the age of 93. A memorial service will be held at Shoreline Community Church on Saturday, July 16, at 10 am. He is survived by his wife, Doris, and their four children: Tom, Marilyn (’74), Janet (’76), and Daniel (’84). 

Paul taught mostly U.S. and Latin American history at Westmont for 36 years (1958-1994), won the Teacher of the Year Award twice (1971 and 1983), and served twice as interim dean of the faculty. He held many positions at the college, including divisional coordinator, vice chair of the faculty, chair of the history department, and chair and member of numerous committees. A big supporter of Westmont’s Europe Semester, he led the program numerous times. 

A beloved professor and engaging teacher, Paul leaves a legacy of generations of students with a keen appreciation for and understanding of history – and much sharper writing skills. He contributed significantly to the preservation of Westmont’s history and heritage, and any account of the college’s early days bears his mark.