Dan Whallon, a minister of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) served the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) in various capacities fro 1962 until his retirement in 1987. He went on to God’s greater glory on December 24^th, 2001. A memorial service was held t the PCT’s General assembly mission Center on February 1^st.2002.

Born in 1922, Dan and his spouse ,Cary, came to Taiwan 1962. His first assignment was as an evangelist among Mandarin Chinese speaking people. In 1072 he moved  into the General Assembly Headquarters, serving there as the inter board treasurer. until 1987 Cary worked steadily as the English language secretary to the general secretary.

In the 1970’s Dan and Cary were in the thick of the tension between the PCT and Taiwan’s martial law government. They were steadfast partners of this church. Their position was not made articulate in words so much as in their actions of protecting the Rev. Dr. C. M. Kao, PCT General Secretary, who eventually was imprisoned on political charges. When Dr. Kao was facing arrest and rumors were circulating, the Whallons physically stood with him. Their loyalty and the actions they took to demonstrate it were felt throughout the structures of this church.

Following 1979’s “Formosa Incident” an assassin snuffed out the lives of many members of the family of Lin Yi-hsiung, a human rights activist. Many clergy decided to make an appeal in local and overseas churches for funds to purchase the house were the murders took place and convert it to a church. Dan and Cary supported the movement and assisted it in every possible way. They personally cared for Mr.Lin and the survivors in his family. Yi-kwang Presbyterian Church, which now occupies the house, made Dan and Cary ‘life members.

When the PCUS came instituted its mission activities in Taiwan in the 1950’s it purchased land in Taipei, Taichung and Yuli (Hualien County). By the 1980’ retention of these properties by a foreign church was seen as anachronistic.  Dan was instrumental in pushing through the administrative aspects of property transfer to the PCT. 

While Dan and Cary lived in Taiwan they had extensive contacts among the foreign community. They maintained these in their retirement to Florida, where Cary continues to reside.

節錄：花祥牧師，1922年生，美國長老教會宣教師，1962年和牧師娘花可玲受派來台，他初在華語教會宣教，1972年起任職於台灣基督長老教會總會事務所，直至1987年退休，返國定居於佛羅里達州，而於2001年12月24日去世，享年79歲。台灣基督長老教會總會特於2002年2月1日在總會事務所舉行追思禮拜。