Hali H. Giessler

Giessler—Hali H. Giessler, 97, on August 25, 2024, in Livonia, Mich. Hali was born on February 6, 1927, to Fritz and Marty (née Voellmy) Giessler, two convinced Friends, in Kassel, Germany. Hali built on his parents’ example, becoming an educator, social worker, and activist for peace and social justice.

Fritz was dismissed from his teaching position early in the Hitler regime. In 1938, with the help of American Friends Service Committee, the family, now including Hali’s younger sister, Vre (Roni), emigrated to the United States. Hali spent his formative high school years at Westtown School in West Chester, Pa. In addition to attending classes, he learned stagecraft by taking part in the school’s theatrical productions, gained skills in practical trades by working as an assistant to the school’s electrician and plumber, improved his English by sending notes to his English-major girlfriend (who returned them with corrections), and developed his lifelong passion for volunteer work.

Hali studied sociology, social psychology, and community dynamics at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. He directed the first integrated playground in Richmond and led race relations workshops with Bayard Rustin. After graduation, Hali worked as a family consultant at Flanner House, a nonprofit settlement house in Indianapolis, Ind., where he directed a self-help housing program organizing 25 families to work together to build 25 new homes that the families then owned.

In 1952, six years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that naturalization would no longer require agreeing to bear arms, Hali became a citizen of the United States. That same year he married Dorothy (Dot) Brown and, following years of appeals, received conscientious objector status. Hali completed alternative service in Indianapolis and in Marysville, Tenn.

After working in Reading, Pa., Hali moved with Dot and their two young daughters, Donna and Helen, to Hershey, Pa., where Hali became the director of home life at the Milton Hershey School for orphaned boys. Concurrently, Hali ran the high school program (about 400 students) for Friends General Conference, which was meeting biennially in Cape May, N.J. In 1965, Hali moved with his family to Detroit, Mich., where he became the founding headmaster of Friends School in Detroit. Under his influence, the diverse school emphasized students’ intrinsic motivation to learn, cooperation and collaboration, that of God in everyone, and the importance of nurturing and expressing respect for others. The family transferred their membership from Harrisburg (Pa.) Meeting to Detroit Meeting, where Hali remained a dedicated member for the remainder of his life.

In 1973, Hali became the executive director of the Center for Urban Education, first running workshops for high school students and faculty, then developing and teaching adult foster care classes. Thereafter, he accepted numerous employment opportunities in social work, management, and teaching at college and graduate levels.

Hali’s passion for volunteering never wavered. He served for decades on the boards of Franklin-Wright Settlements, Grosse Pointe Academy, and the Children’s Center of Wayne County; and he was a hardworking member of a long list of professional and activist organizations.

The recipient of many honors and awards, Hali was named Michigan Social Worker of the Year in 1983, and, in 1991, the Detroit City Council gave him the Spirit of Detroit Award. A charter member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), he was named an NASW Social Work Pioneer in 2021.

Hali was predeceased by his wife, Dot; and a sister, Roni.

He is survived by two children, Donna G. Latus (Michael) and Helen G. Grundman (Douglas); two grandchildren; and one brother-in-law, Roy Devoe.