Pro-life pioneer Jack Willke dies at age 89
By Samaritan staff · Feb 25, 2015
Dr. Jack Willke with then-Polish President Lech Walesa in the early 1990s.
Dr. John C. “Jack” Willke, considered by many to be the founder of the pro-life movement, passed away on Friday at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, at age 89. Willke and his late wife, Barbara (1923-2013), were involved in the right-to-life crusade through activism and education for more than 40 years.
“There is no way to quantify the contributions Jack Willke, along with his wife, Barbara, made to the right-to-life movement,” said Carol Tobias, current president of the National Right to Life Committee. “Jack’s generous heart and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed.”
Willke’s involvement in the pro-life movement began in the 1970s. As an obstetrician and World War II veteran, he became increasingly concerned about the growing acceptance of abortion.
Willke served on the National Right to Life board of directors from 1973-2012, leading the organization as president for 10 years. During his second term as president, Willke played an instrumental role in organizing the 1990 Rally for Life, one of the largest events held at the National Mall in Washington D.C. The National Park Service estimated an attendance of more than 700,000 individuals.
John and Barbara Willke traveled the world to spread the pro-life message, speaking in 64 countries jointly. The couple also co-wrote 12 books and published pro-life educational materials that have been translated into 30 languages and used across five continents
The right-to-life movement has lost one of its most influential activist.
Carol Tobias, President of the National Right to Life Committee, on the death of Jack Willke
To educate the public about abortion and expand the influence of National Right to Life, Willke introduced Pro-Life Perspective, a daily radio program that has been going strong for 30 years.1
“The right-to-life movement has lost one of its most influential activists,” Tobias said. “But we know that Dr. Willke’s legacy of education and activism will live on in the countless men and women who were inspired to join the fight for life because of his efforts.”
Visit the National Right to Life News Today website to read more on the life of Dr. John C. Willke.