NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Leslie John Shellhase (1924 - 2002)

Leslie Shellhase was born on January 12, 1924 in Hardy, Nebraska. He received his AB degree from Midland College in 1947, his MSW degree from the University of Nebraska in 1950, and his DSW degree from Catholic University in 1961.

Mr. Shellhase held various professional positions: parole supervisor, in child welfare in Omaha, 1948-49; psychiatric social work intern at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco, 1950-51; second lieutenant United States Army, 1949; advanced through grades to lt. colonel, 1966; chief social worker, 6^th Infantry Division, Ft. Ord California, 1952-55; chief medical social worker, Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, DC, 1955-57; research investigator, Walter Reed Institute Research, 1957-63; head social work faculty Med. Field Service School, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, 1963-66; chief sociologist U.S. Army, Washington, DC, 1966-69; professor of University of Alabama, School of Social Work, 1968; private practice social work, 1968; Family Service Association American, 1969; and expert group on social welfare UN, 1975.

Mr. Shellhase wrote The Group Life of the Schizophrenic Patient, 1961; and Bibliography of Army Social Work, 1962. He contributed articles on social and behavioral science to national and international professional journals, and wrote chapters for books.

He received the Decorated Legion of Merit for his scientific achievement as the chief sociologist in the United States Army, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He was the recipient of letters of commendation from the President of the United States in 1968, and letters of commendation from the Surgeon General in 1961. Also a great honor for him was being listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.

Mr. Shellhase belonged to many organizations throughout his career: in 1955, he was the chairman of the last chapter (Monterey Bay/Peninsula) ever formed in the American Association of Social Workers. Others were member of NASW, ACSW, Council on Social Work Education, National Conference Social Welfare, British Sociology Association, British Association Social Workers, ACLU, Retired Officers Association, Pershing Rifles, and Hastings Society.

Social Work Pioneer - 1994