wfn.org | 'Jack' Corbett, social investing pioneer, dies of heart attack

["NewsDesk" <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

March 28, 2003   News media contact: Joretta Purdue7(202) 546-87227Washington     10-71B{184}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The Rev. Elliot "Jack" Corbett, co-founder of Pax World Funds and one of the organizers of the social investing movement, died March 18 after a heart attack. A resident of Bethesda, Md., he was 82.

His memorial service will be held April 12 at Concord Saint Andrews United Methodist Church in Bethesda.

In 1971, Corbett and the Rev. Luther Tyson formed the Pax World Fund, the United States' first socially responsible mutual fund. It avoided investments in defense and weapons-related products, alcohol, tobacco and gambling. At the time, the two were working on peace, housing and employment issues for the United Methodist Board of Church and Society in Washington. 

The Pax World Fund invested in life-affirming goods and services including education, housing, food and non-nuclear utilities. Corbett served as vice president until his retirement in 1996.

Since the beginning of that one fund, more than 200 have followed. By the end of 2001, more than $2 trillion was invested in the United States following socially and environmentally responsible guidelines.

Corbett also founded Pax World Service, a nonprofit, philanthropic organization supporting peace, international reconciliation and small-scale sustainable development. He was its volunteer president for more than 20 years. Pax World Service pioneered the idea of citizen diplomacy. He also founded Pax International after Pax World Service merged with another organization. Pax International continues as a volunteer-driven organization that shuns government contracts.

Between 1961 and 1980, Corbett served at the Board of Church and Society's peace division, directed the Washington Study Program and, finally, directed a church-government relations division.

 From 1948 to 1961, he served as a pastor in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois. During World War II, he performed civilian service that included caring for violent mental patients, fighting forest fires and volunteering for an infectious hepatitis study for Army medical researchers.

He wrote five books, including The Prophets on Main Street. He also helped
organize the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and served on its board of
directors.

Corbett earned a doctorate in ethics and international relations at American
University. Born in Oak Park, Ill., he graduated from Temple University and
Crozer Theological Seminary.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Anne Rapp Corbett; a sister; three children
and three grandchildren. 
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United Methodist News Service
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