Joan Peterson

Franklin's righteous anger and straight talk inspired me . . . gave me courage to write about what I could not speak.

He is a hero to me.

Sending sympathy to Marcie and to his family.

Joan Peterson
Professor of Education
Saint Mary's College of California

Yitzchak Kerem

Dear Marcie and Colleagues,
I convey my deepest sympathies on the passing of our dear colleague and mentor Dr. Franklin H. Littell. Not only is his contribution to Holocaust studies, education, and commemoration unprecedented and unique, similar was his activity in ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, study, and understanding.

We will all remember Franklin for his keen intellect, deep understanding of human nature and evil, and for his unique character. His Texan sayings, slang, proverbs, and style were entertaining and unforgettable. His cosmopolitan and multi-religious personality was similarly fascinating and rare. His devotion to Holocaust education and Gentile responsibility merits the utmost admiration and respect. He succeeded in bring together peoples of diverse disciplines and faiths to study the lessons of the Holocaust (Shoa) and also not forget other genocides and conflicts. He was a pioneer in seeing Christian/Gentile responsibility for the Shoa and bringing Jews and Gentiles together for understanding, and education.

Franklin also highlighted the Righteous in the Holocaust; especially in the Germany that he knew in the 1930s, and WWII, tried to enter the
Eastern Orthodox churches and Islam into our dialogue on the Holocaust and responsibility, and made great efforts to expand the dialogue in the general public, in school systems, and media.  

Franklin was a mentsch of the first degree, extremely friendly and personable to all he met, and a good friend and colleague.

These words are an understatement for a great man, who has left a valuable legacy.
I console Marcie in her time of mourning and am hopeful that we will all continue the work Franklin began and devoted his life, and advance the study of the Holocaust and the Churches even in these difficult financial times.

Shalom and may Franklin Littell's memory live on.

Yitzchak Kerem
Historian on Sephardic and Eastern Jewry and the Holocaust
on sabbatical
American Jewish University of Los Angeles ykerem@ajula.edu ykerem1@ca.rr.com

Dr. Rosalie H. Franks

Dr. Franklin Littell's scholarship, kindness, and warmth inspired me to teach about the lessons of the Holocaust that I learned from interviewing 92 survivors for the Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Foundation from 1994-1999. Starting in 1995 the Scholars' Conference helped me immeasurably to educate myself and my students about the annihilation of the Jews.

I became better acquainted with Franklin when I traveled with him and Marcie during the Richard Stockton College's Lest We Forget Graduate Study Tour of Lithuania, Poland, and Hungary. In spite of his advanced years in 2003, Franklin continued to lecture about the early warnings of genocide and educators' responsibility to teach students about the lessons derived from history and the past. He was a provocative and inspiring teacher.

I loved Franklin's infectious sense of humor, his sharp intellect, his willingness to listen, and, most of all, his openness to educators needing to study and learn from his wisdom. I will miss Franklin's smile and curiosity about his students and the world.

Marcie was a wonderful helpmate and, fortunately, we have her to carry on his revolutionary scholarship. She like Franklin are a blessing to all of us.

My condolences to Marcie and her family.

Rosalie H. Franks, Ed.D.
Roger Williams University
Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric , and Composition

From Patrick Henry

Franklin was an absolutely irreplaceable human being. This is why his loss is so heavy and why we are all so fortunate to have known him and to have been influenced by him. 

Patrick Henry

Whitman College 

Walla Walla, WA 99362

From Hank Greenspan

Along with Hubert Locke and a handful of others, Franklin and Marcie were pioneers in our fields. They became pillars. No one was there when they were. No one did what they did. No one continued to do what they have done.

We will always be grateful.

Hank Greenspan
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Dr. Jud Newborn's reflections

Pierre's words bring out the deeds and, with a nod to Pierre, the spiritual weapons of Frank Littell for me. I've communicated mostly with Marcie, to whom I send heartfelt condolences. But, in the midst of pursuing my various
projects on the White Rose - not only resistance heroes but among the great Christian martyrs
 - I realize I have missed out on what might have been the
great gift of knowing Frank personally.  I have his writings, though and those live on, don't they, Marcie?  I'm taking about, "The Crucifixion of the Jews" to re-read, and to tell others to do the same.

With condolences, admiration and warmth,
Jud

Jud Newborn, PhD
Special Projects Curator, Cinema Arts Centre (LI)
Founding Historian/Curator, NY's Museum of Jewish Heritage (1986-2000)
Author, SOPHIE SCHOLL AND THE WHITE ROSE
Lecturer: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER (dramatic multimedia presentation, based
on book)

Dr. Franklin H. Littell's Obituary

Dr. Franklin H. Littell touched many people's lives through his teachings and writings. Dr. Littell passed away in May of 2009. You can read Dr. Littell's Obituary by clicking here or on his picture.

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