Wilson, Brian A., 95 of Acton, MA, passed peacefully on, June 24, 2023 from complications of Parkinson’s disease in his son and daughter-in-law's home where he had lived with his wife Seoung Lee for the last 11yrs.
Born in Oakland, CA on February 26, 1928. Brian was the son of the late Albert Leroy Wilson and Nauriene Juanita Norris. He attended Fremont High School, where he graduated with the class of 1946. Brian joined the Coast Guard upon graduation and was honorably discharged on June 21st, 1947. He went on to earn his B.A. degree from Columbia University on the G.I. Bill and a master's degree in anthropology from Stanford University. Later, he earned his PhD. in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Brian also studied English literature at the University of California, Berkeley and religious studies at the Union Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California.
Brian's teaching career began in 1960 when he taught both English and anthropology at Foreign Language University in Seoul Korea and at Keimyung University in Taegu, Korea as an assignment from the U. S. Presbyterian Mission from 1965 to 1970.
Later he moved to the United States and taught at St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI. from 1970 until his retirement in 1989. Brian's research in Korean shamanism has been quoted in multiple scholarly articles and textbooks on cultural anthropology, as testament to his scholarship, dedication and passion for the field.
In 2012, Brian and his wife moved to Acton, MA to live with his son and daughter-in-law. He was an active member of the South Acton Congregational Church, where he found comfort and community.
Brian is survived by his wife, Seoung Lee, his son Matthew and daughter-in-law Janice, daughter Stephanie and her husband Robert, daughter Heather, son David, grandchildren Robert (Rebeccah), Scott (Laura), Brian, Maya, Kati and Eva, and great-grandchildren Urban, Clayton, Madeleine and Magnus, and half sister Trish Krinsky, nieces, nephews. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his lifetime.
We would like to thank Care Dimensions and the entire hospice team and volunteers for their loving care. Good Samaritans care team through the VA Hospital and countless friends for all their love and support.
There will be a Memorial Service held later date at South Acton Congregational Church.