Ballendorf remembered fondly by community

by Jolene Toves

Guam - Friends, family, and colleagues also said goodbye to retired University of Guam professor Dr. Dirk Ballendorf today. Final respects were offered at St. Anthony's Church in Tamuning.

His stepson, Tiger Gillham, said, "Dirk Ballendorf was not just a papa, a uncle, or a true friend. We are very proud of his achievements, his contributions his teachings his research his sharing of information and knowledge."

Dr. Ballendorf was a longtime professor of history and Micronesian studies at UOG. He joined the faculty in 1979. Served as director of Micronesian Area Research Center for several years and is internationally recognized as a scholar and specialist in Micronesian history, politics, education and contemporary affairs.

UOG president Dr. Robert Underwood said, "He was iconoclastic and he was irreverent in the best sense of these words he stood apart from others he offered counter intuitive comments his sympathy for Micronesia and its people never got in the way of hard boiled analysis."

Dr. Ballendorf authored eleven books and over 200 articles and reviews pertaining to Micronesian history and culture.  He was 73 years old.