The Patriot Post® · Before Roe v. Wade, There Was Jack Willke

Dr. Jack Willke, who is considered the father of the modern, pro-life movement, died unexpectedly at his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 89. Even before the Supreme Court’s fiat in 1973 struck down most state abortion laws, Willke stopped delivering babies in the ‘60s to lobby and protest against the practice. The former president of both the International Right to Life Federation and the National Right to Life Committee, Willke was a thought leader in the pro-life movement because he authored such work as “Abortion Questions & Answers” and a recently published history of the fight against abortion. Later in his life, Willke headed the educational organization Life Issues Institute. Executive Director of Life Issues Institute Bradley Mattes told Life Site News, “Jack has been my mentor and colleague for over 23 years and was a second father to me.” He continued, “I can only imagine the greeting Jack received in heaven – millions of babies who he tirelessly worked to save, joyfully welcoming him home.” R.I.P. More…