Fred Dustin: Remembering a great supporter of Korea

The faculty at Yonhee University, circa 1956.

By Robert Neff

Fred Dustin and some of his students, circa 1957.

In 1955, Fred Dustin, who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, returned to Korea after completing his degree in the United States. He had been recruited by The Asia Foundation and was the first English teacher to arrive.

Dustin was assigned a teaching position at Yonhee (now Yonsei) University but, in the beginning, there was no housing available on campus, so he was forced to stay the first couple of weeks at the Bando Hotel.

Seoul at this time was a shattered city and ruined buildings were the norm. The Bando Hotel was the tallest building and, as Dustin recalled, was the center of sophistication. It was a popular place for the foreign community to live and was equally popular with Koreans wanting to learn or practice their English.

“It was almost impossible to sit down for a cup of coffee or a meal, especially without an elderly Korean gentleman suddenly materializing seemingly from out of nowhere and introduce himself.”

Dustin was later given quarters on campus at a building commonly known as the White Russian House. One of his roommates, for a short time, was Edward Wagoner ― the founder of the Korea Institute at Harvard University. They both joined a group of expats who formed the Koryo Club where they shared ideas and experiences over beers. Very little scholastic work was accomplished but a lot of beer was consumed.

Fred Dustin and his class at Yonhee University in July 1957.

Like the rest of Seoul, the university had suffered during the war. Dustin recalled:

“The school had returned from Busan a year or so before and there was so much damage. The first fall of 1955 was difficult. Many of the classrooms still had no windows and some were missing doors so it was terribly drafty.”

Dustin, however, soon found the lack of windows to be a blessing as they provided “enough ventilation to keep the smell of kimchi in continuous agitation.” He later complained of the smell to Horace Underwood who, with the wisdom of a sage, suggested the only solution was to eat kimchi. Dustin followed his advice and soon found himself to be a fan of the spicy Korean dish.

Looking out from the campus, circa 1957.

Dustin was impressed with his students. They studied diligently, despite the cold and the hardships. Supplies and teaching materials were scarce and the teachers often had to make do with whatever was on hand or they could create. The students had a “real fervor for education” and would “sit bundled up in those frozen classrooms” all day with nary a complaint.

Perhaps the most difficult obstacle was love.

Two students in his class ― a male and female ― soon found themselves in trouble. “They were the famous 'campus couple' and earlier in the spring had almost been kicked out of school for openly smooching on campus [and] holding hands ― even in class.”

Fred Dustin and two of his students.

Edward Wagner and Fred Dustin in front of the White Russian House, circa 1957.

Most of the students from his classes graduated and rose to high positions in the government. “I remember reading The Korea Times and seeing names I knew,” recalled Dustin. “[They] would rise up and then tumble down.” Some were victims of politics while others suffered from their own greed.

Dustin went on to teach at several universities. He was an entrepreneur who dabbled in many different businesses ― many failed but a few were successful and prospered. The most successful is, undoubtedly, the Kimnyoung Maze on Jeju Island.

He was a caring man with a weakness for cats ― the maze is filled with them. He believed in helping those around him and actively supported the Jeju community both financially and in spirit.

Dustin died on May 5, 2018. Jeju and Korea lost a great supporter and I lost a great friend. I like to think that his spirit lives on within the maze ― nourished by the sound of children's laughter, the lazy purrs of cats and the recollections of those who knew him, as they munch popcorn and drink grape juice in his memory.

Rest in peace my old friend.

The guard's hut near the White Russian House. It was there to guard the Underwoods' berry patch.

Looking west toward the Han River, circa 1955.

Dustin's teaching assistant, circa 1957.