It is with great sorrow that the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies mourns the passing of Professor (Aubrey) Peter Walshe, who died peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, surrounded by family and loved ones.
A distinguished scholar, beloved teacher, and lifelong advocate for justice, Walshe was a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame for more than 50 years, as well as a faculty fellow with both the Kroc Institute and the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, both part of the Keough School of Global Affairs. Walshe focused on Sub-Saharan Africa, specializing in the political history of South Africa, political movements and church-state relations. His dedication to students and unwavering commitment to social justice left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Born on Jan. 1, 1934, in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), Walshe spent his early years between Johannesburg and Bulawayo. His academic journey took him to Wadham College at the University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom, where he distinguished himself both intellectually and athletically. A gifted cricketer, he played first-class cricket for Oxford University from 1953 to 1956, making 46 appearances as a wicket-keeper, while also taking 48 catches and completing 12 stumpings.
Following his time at Oxford, Walshe earned his doctorate from Saint Antony’s College, Oxford University. He began his academic and teaching career at the University College of Pope Pius XII, now the National University of Lesotho, from 1959 to 1962, before emigrating to the United States and joining the University of Notre Dame.
Walshe played a key role in the early years of the Kroc Institute, providing guidance, mentorship, and intellectual support that helped define the Institute’s mission. His scholarship was deeply rooted in the struggle for justice, particularly in South Africa. His book, The Rise of the African National Congress in South Africa (1912–1952), published by the University of California Press, remains a seminal work on the history of the African National Congress and its fight against apartheid.
Throughout the 1980s, Walshe was a leading voice in the movement to end apartheid. He courageously led weekly protests on the Notre Dame campus, demanding that the university divest from apartheid South Africa. He also worked closely with students to amplify the call for justice and was instrumental in launching the campus newsletter, Common Sense, which became a platform for critical discussions on human rights, democracy, and peace.
Raymond Offenheiser, director of the McKenna Center for Human Development and Global Business at the Keough School, reflected on his experience as one of Walshe’s students.
“One is blessed to find good mentors early, whose example can shape the entire trajectory of one’s life,” said Offenheiser. “I was introduced to international development through Oxford-style directed readings with Professor Walshe, which led to a 50-year career in that field. His early mentoring set me on a course that shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. And I am but one of many who could make such a claim.”
Added Anne Hayner, associate director for Alumni Relations at the Kroc Institute, “The world has lost a warm heart, a quick wit, and a voice for justice. Not only was Peter a brilliant academic, he was also a deeply compassionate individual who dedicated his life to the pursuit of a more just and peaceful world. While his presence in the classroom, his mentorship, and his tireless advocacy for justice will be profoundly missed, his scholarship and activism will continue to inspire generations to come.”
A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 2 p.m. at Broadway Christian Parish (1412 Carroll Street, South Bend, Ind., 46613). All are welcome.
Hamba Kahle! Farewell Professor Peter Walshe!