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Temple's Wachman dies at 90

In Marvin Wachman's 2005 memoir, "The Education of a University President," the foreword announced: "Wachman emerges from his memoir as a highly accomplished yet modest leader who demonstrates that he is a worthy role model for future generations of college presidents and administrators."

In Marvin Wachman's 2005 memoir, "The Education of a University President," the foreword announced:

"Wachman emerges from his memoir as a highly accomplished yet modest leader who demonstrates that he is a worthy role model for future generations of college presidents and administrators."

Marvin Wachman, who served as president of Temple University from 1973 to 1982, and of Lincoln University in Chester County from 1961 to 1969, died yesterday. He was 90 and lived in Chestnut Hill.

At Temple - where he arrived in 1969 as vice president of academic affairs - he was credited with restoring fiscal responsibility and establishing new campuses in Center City and Japan.

He had been reluctant to accept the Lincoln position, but was talked into it by alum Thurgood Marshall, later a U.S. Supreme Court justice, and others.

He was born to Russian immigrants and grew up in Milwaukee. A paper route took him past a tennis club and he learned to play. He was good enough to win a scholarship to Northwestern University, where he earned two degees in history.

In his tennis-playing career, he played Wimbledon champ Bobby Riggs, '30s star Alice Marble, and even film star Errol Flynn.

He was an Army combat veteran of World War II, serving in Europe. While in the service, he married his wife, Adeline, in 1942.

He taught at Colgate University for 13 years and spent two years directing the Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria.

Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Katie and Alison.