Tony Bing died peacefully in Swannanoa on March 20, surrounded by family and friends, books and music. Through the books, songs and people he loved, Tony came to know a world beyond his hometown of Hudson, Ohio - and he became convinced that changing the world was both necessary and possible. Locally he is fondly remembered as esteemed visiting professor of Middle East studies at Warren Wilson College, dauntless organizer of Western North Carolinians for Peace and Justice in the Middle East, adventurous cook in his Black Mountain neighborhood international food group, wisecracking member of the formidable "Geritol Gang" at Black Mountain golf course, dependable community volunteer with Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting, and devoted caretaker of his wife of 57 years, June Woodward Bing, who died earlier this winter of Alzheimers.
Tony always was both bookish and brave. Coming of age during the Korean War and civil rights era, Tony became a student activist who led protest sing-a-longs in a clear, uplifting tenor voice. His passionate pursuit of global understanding earned him a lifelong career as a peace activist, as well as a BA from Haverford College, BA & MA from Oxford University at Christchurch College, and MA & PhD from University of Michigan. Generations of students who took Tony's classes in literature and cross-cultural studies at Kenyon College, American University of Beirut, Earlham College and Warren Wilson College vividly recall his gift for introducing challenging ideas from around the world. Most can also imitate the thoughtful way Tony listened, his chin in hand, as they found their own voices to address urgent social issues. To further these discussions, Tony co-founded Earlham College's Peace and Global Studies program and served until his retirement as executive director of the Peace and Justice Studies Association. He also led groups of college students abroad to gain international perspective, and founded the Great Lakes College Association's Jerusalem Program and Northern Ireland Program.
Tony's calm, steady call for human rights and reconciliation has yielded breakthroughs in seemingly intractable conflicts, including the Cold War, the Balkan crisis, both Iraq wars, and the Palestinian Israeli conflict. He was named Peace Educator of the Year in 1992 and was recognized in 1993 by Northern Ireland for his work to end hostilities and reconstruct civil society - but his legacy is perhaps most keenly felt in grassroots service organizations he supported that continue to flourish against the odds in MidEast conflict zones. Tony generally preferred singing protest songs to publishing his own writing, but he did author two notable books about peacemaking: Israeli Pacifist: The Life of Joseph Abileah (Syracuse Press, 1990) and, together with an international working group, When the Rain Returns: Toward Justice & Reconciliation in Palestine & Israel (AFSC Press, 2004).
Tony retired to Black Mountain in 2001, but remained active until his death as founder of Quaker Palestine Israel Network and volunteer with American Friends Service Committee, where his daughter Jennifer heads the Middle East program for the Midwest region. Tony's legacy is also carried forward by daughter Rebecca, a public high school teacher; daughter Alison, a travel and arts writer; granddaughter Hanaan, soon to graduate Haverford College; brother Steve, a pioneering advocate for child welfare; and all others who resolve to leave the world a more peaceful, just and kind place.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony Bing's name can be made to Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting and American Friends Service Committee.
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