Class Notes

Mary Janie McGehee Creecy, age 73, of Portsmouth, Va., died peacefully on March 26, 2022. She is survived by her beloved husband and true soulmate, Robert Pierce Creecy. Janie was born in Keysville, Va., on the farm where she was raised and which she still owned and enjoyed visiting with Bob. A retired social worker, Janie earned a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College in Tennessee and a master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

has moved from Florida to now live full time in Tennessee.

Emma Katherine Crews, age 98, died Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville. She was born in Copperhill, Tennessee, on September 20, 1921 to Robert H. Crews and Della Mason Crews who precede her in death. Most of Katherine’s life was immersed in music. She began taking piano lessons at age eight followed by violin lessons at age 12. After graduating from Maryville High School in 1939, she went on to earn a BA in Music at Maryville College in 1943. Upon graduating from Maryville College, she moved to Washington, DC for two years where she worked for the U.S. Public Health Service and played violin in the War Production Board Symphony, the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church String Ensemble, and the Gault Ensemble. After World War II, Katherine returned to her hometown, Morristown, and became music instructor at Morristown Junior High School (MJHS) for three years. She taught 7th, 8th and 9th grade music classes, as well as violin, viola and cello. She started the MHJS band and later combined the strings with it to create the MHJS orchestra. After receiving an MA degree in music from Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY, she taught in the Music Department of Maryville College for 12 years. She was instrumental in starting a program in violin, viola and cello in the Maryville Public Schools which led to the organization of an orchestra. During her teaching days at Maryville College, Katherine also played in the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Katherine went to Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL to earn an EdD in music education and violin. She then went on to teach at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. Katherine enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 U.S. states, as well as several foreign countries. At the end of her career in teaching music, she returned to East Tennessee and accepted a job as Sales Manager for AAA in Chattanooga and played the viola in the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra for almost ten years. Finally, she returned to Knoxville where she lived the last twenty plus years. Special thanks go to the staff and nurses at Shannondale Health Care Center for the excellent care they gave to Katherine. Katherine is survived by her sister, Ruthellen Crews of Knoxville and many friends in the world of music. She was a member of First Baptist Church, West Main Street, Knoxville, the Tuesday Morning Musical Club and the Music Study Club. She was a life member of the Music Educators National Conference, the American String Teachers Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. No services will be held and Katherine will be interred at Jarnigan cemetery in Morristown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, PO Box 360, Knoxville, TN 37901 or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.

Mrs. LeAnn Jane Vandermark Crosby, 49, of 221 Silverhill Road in the Forest Hills Subdivision of Walterboro died Saturday evening, February 25, 2006, at the Colleton Medical Center in Walterboro. Funeral services will be held 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon, March 2, 2006, in The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home Chapel, Walterboro, with The Reverend Dr. Posey Belcher officiating. Interment will follow in Live Oak Cemetery, Walterboro. Mrs. Crosby was born January 3, 1957, in Annandale, New Jersey and was a daughter of Mrs. Doris Jane Allerman Vandermak and the late Harold R. Vandermark. She devoted her career to education and friends and family alike knew education was her life. She held her Bachelors Degree in Interpreting for the Deaf from Maryville College (Tennessee) – Class of 1979, and her Masters Degree in Learning Disabilities – Class of 1983 and her Ed.S in School Psychology II – Class of 1988 from The Citadel. She had received additional certification from William and Mary Curriculum Institute in Williamsburg, Virginia in March and July of 2000. She was a school psychologist for the Colleton County Public School System. She was a member of the Board of Examiners for Counselors, Therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists, was a board member of the South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Education, and was a member of the South Carolina State Department of Education Task Force for Gifted and Talented Regulations, the South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Education Task Force in Conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Education, and the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority from 1990 to 1995. She attended Seacoast Baptist Church in Charleston and First Baptist Church of Walterboro. Surviving in addition to her mother of Walterboro are: her husband, Mr. Terrace Payton Crosby; her daughter, Caitlin Vandermark Crosby of the home; a sister, Tracy J. Vandermark Moore and her husband Col. Mark Moore stationed in Frankfort, Germany; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Betty R. Crosby of Walterboro; two brothers-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart G. Crosby and Mr. Jervey C. Crosby both of Walterboro; and a sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Dale M. Smith of Gastonia, North Carolina; as well as several nieces and nephews. Flowers will be accepted, or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be directed in her memory to the following: Colleton County Relay for Life, 5900 Core Road, Suite 504, N. Charleston, SC 29406; or to Palmetto Health Hospice, Post Office Box 50820, Summerville, SC 29485-0820. Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 Wednesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843-538-5408 or other times the family has requested that friends call at the residence.

CROSS Donald L. Cross Sr., 97 went to be with his Lord on July 6, 2013 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born November 14, 1915 in Gold Hill, NC. Donald spent his childhood in Baden, NC and Maryville, TN and moved to Jacksonville in 1940. He married Sally McLendon on July 31, 1942 and was a member of the Southside Baptist Church for 60 years. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, Maryville College in 1937 and a Masters at the University of Florida in 1952. Donald served in the U.S. Navy for six years and was in WWII from 1940-1945 where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Lt. Commander. He did play professional baseball before and after WWII and managed teams in the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians minor league system. Donald was also a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal in the Duval county school system for 30 years at Jackson High School, Paxon High School and John Gorrie Jr. High School. He was an avid golfer and also a member of the Woodstock Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his wife of 70 years Sally, two sons Donald Jr., Lake Mary, FL, Christopher, Ft. Myers, FL, 7 grandchildren Dana Wolfe, Advance, NC, Candace Vandegrift, San Diego, CA, Robin DeMasi, Gainesville, FL, Jeff Cross, Boston, MA, Isabelle, Jackson and Porter Cross, Lake Mary, FL, 7 great-grandchildren Colton Story, Coronado, CA, Madelyn and Nicholas DeMasi, Gainesville, FL, Lillian and Jared Wolfe, Advance, NC, Morgan and Kyle Cross, Cape Coral, FL.

Elizabeth Showalter Cross passed away April of 2009.

departed this life on Monday, July 29, 2013. She was born on May 29, 1937, in Alcoa, to the union of Millie and G.B. Crossing. Queen was the youngest of seven children. Queen graduated from Charles M. Hall High in 1954. She was also one of six black students to re-integrate Maryville College after the historic Brown vs. Board of Education ruling. In 1968, she became an LPN and worked as a cardiac nurse at the University of Tennessee for 10 years. In 1978, Queen began working at ALCOA. She retired after 25 years of service. Queen is survived by daughters, Yolanda (Earl) Cullins of Chattanooga, Tenn., Nichelle Bilbrey of Atlanta, Ga., and Ingrid (Tiria) Ware of Alcoa; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters and brothers-in-law; and a host of devoted nieces and nephews.

was named Station Manager for WYLA 97.5 FM in Charleston SC. WYLA is a non-commercial FM service of the Charleston County Public Library, where Kevin serves as Media Coordinator.

Writes in to share a cover story from the Charleston City Paper that some may find interesting.

Wendy Kay Cruikshank 01.08.1965 – 20.4.2020 Kylie, Rhianna and Lynette invited extended family and friends to celebrate the life of our beautiful soul, Wendy, who left this world during Covid lockdown. A memorial service was held Saturday, October 31, Lake Hãwea Community Centre at 2:00pm where live stream was available. https://youtu.be/Dm23-ltiAhA They enjoyed sharing memories of our much loved Mum, daughter, sister, aunty and friend.

James Valentine Culbertson, age 79, went to be with Lord on February 13, 2019. Jim was born February 17, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, son to Kenneth Sr. and Margaret D. Being born three days after Valentine’s Day and passing just a day before Valentine’s Day was befitting a man who was surrounded by Love. Jim lived the past 25 years in Buena Vista, Colorado after raising his family in Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fauquier County, Virginia. Jim, or ‘Willie’ as he was affectionately called (due to his likeness to Willie Nelson), had a servant’s heart. He was a founding member and past president of the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity. Jim loved bluegrass music and also served as a board member and past president of the Walden Chamber Music Association. He was a board member for the Central Colorado Conservancy, and also volunteered with the Arkansas Valley Christian Mission. He was a BSA Scoutmaster for many years, and he contributed to many other causes. He was devoted to the preservation of wildlife and nature, and proud of his military service in the US Army. Jim put his energy, heart and soul into everything he did, including construction, being a head baker, a log cabin builder, and finally in his dream job of working the past 25 years as a caretaker for the Butler family ranch in Buena Vista. A student of philosophy, religion, and staunch supporter of the Constitution, Jim exemplified the ideals of giving more than you receive, the value of hard work, and having integrity in everything he did. Jim’s spirit of kindness, his smile and sparkle in his eyes was felt by everyone who knew him. His Children and Family miss him and Love him deeply and will always try to live up to his spirit as he is “on the road again”. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Kenneth Jr., Jim is survived by his brothers, Richard Culbertson and Robert Culbertson, and his sisters Joy Rossell and Judi Starks, his daughter Kimberli Saunders and husband Tom, his son Kevin Culbertson and wife Renee, his granddaughter Lauren Anne Culbertson, his grandson Daron Lee Culbertson and wife Danielle, his great-granddaughter Lavender Ruth, and many nieces and nephews including, Melissa Williams, Teresa Culbertson-Bush, Linda Ratliff, Mike Culbertson, and Kacie Starks. Jim graduated with the Class of 1957 from Hollidaysburg Senior High School, Pennsylvania; he attended Maryville College, Tennessee; and he served three years in the US Army at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. A ceremony celebrating Jim’s life will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2019, 4:30 PM at Soul Purpose Community Church, 12698 Shipps Store Road, Bealeton, Virginia. A Memorial Facebook page: “James Valentine Culbertson – a celebration of his life” is available. Donations in his honor can be made to any of the local causes that Jim supported, or to the Dementia Society of America. To plant a tree in memory of James Culbertson, please visit our Tribute Store.

and husband, Lyn are enjoying their new job title "Traveling full time in a RV" after retiring.

Warren T. Culver bid farewell to this life on February 12, 2016 while in the loving arms of family members. His legacy continues through his wife Katherine; his children: Ronald (and wife, Leigh) of Prescott Valley, AZ, Lee (and wife, Martha) of Marietta, GA, Barbara of Lawrence, KS, Warren Jr. of Ft. Myers, FL, James (and wife, Mona) of Congress, AZ; his grandchildren: Coleen, Jason, Barry, Katherine, Kacey, Warren, Kaylee; his great grandchildren: Nicholas, Ryan, Holly, Chloe and his sister Marian Phillips of Westhampton, NY. He is preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Katharine, sister Amy Terry, brothers Arthur, Hallock and Herbert.
Born January 11, 1920 on Long Island, NY, the fourth of six children to Herbert R. and Katharine H. Culver, Warren grew up in Westhampton, NY, on the shores of Long Island. During his young adult years he excelled as a high school wrestler; joined Boy Scouts of America, eventually becoming a Life Scout; worked one summer as a lifeguard at Westhampton Beach; raced sailboats in Moriches Bay, Long Island; and worked in his father's plumbing business and the family duck farm.
The family lived through the Great Depression of the 1930's, and out of those circumstances emerged a young man of Christian faith displaying steadiness, strength, confidence, and unshakable belief in the value of hard work and affinity for one's fellow man… all of which Warren attributed to the lifelong example set by his mother and father.
Surrounded by positive influences and loving family, Warren decided to enter medicine. He began his undergraduate education at Maryville College, TN, and it was there he met his love, Katherine Ann Garvin. Graduating cum laude from Maryville he was accepted at the Long Island College of Medicine (now, State University of New York). While in medical school, he and Katherine married, July 1944.
Graduating in 1946, Warren entered military active duty as a physician, spending a total of 26 years serving his nation in the United States Air Force and becoming a board-certified ophthalmologist. He served as Chief Flight Surgeon and commanded several USAF hospitals.
Warren's career included flying in B-29's as a flight surgeon with USAF Hurricane Hunters while stationed at Kindley Field, Bermuda. As Chief of Ophthalmology at the School of Aviation Medicine, Randolph AFB, he also participated in the testing of the first hydrogen (atmospheric) bomb detonated by this nation at Johnson Island, evaluating its ophthalmic effects. While stationed at Norton AFB he examined and treated the eyes of former President Dwight Eisenhower. During the course of his career he cared for the eye health of thousands of military men and women at Air Force hospitals within the US and overseas.
Following retirement from active duty in 1968 as commander of the USAF hospital, Forbes, Topeka, KS, Warren and Katherine bought a home in Lawrence where he opened a private medical practice. He served the needs of Lawrence and surrounding communities as an ophthalmologist for the next 17 years, retiring from private practice in 1985.
Warren continued service to his fellow man by delivering, with Katherine, "Meals on Wheels" for 15 years, as well as serving as a Hospice volunteer for many years. He brought comfort and peace to dying individuals in a manner in which he was thoroughly steeped… that of a Christian physician, and, to dying World War II aviators struggling with events of a long-ago war, he brought the perspective and the comfort of a military flight surgeon. Warren was named Hospice Volunteer of the Year during his period of service.
As a life-long Christian and former Sunday school teacher, Warren and Katherine both joined the First United Methodist Church, Lawrence, upon their move to Lawrence in 1968. There, Warren faithfully worshipped and supported its ministers and its missions until the very end while engaging in philanthropic efforts with a number of organizations.
The trajectory of his life was one of service … service to his nation and to his fellow man as a senior military officer, physician, and humanitarian. If asked, Warren would say that his greatest accomplishment was winning the love of Katherine; love which they, in turn bestowed upon their five children as they imparted Christian values through daily behavior and teaching.
"He never focused on what he could extract from this life; he focused on what he could give" … aptly describes Warren Culver during his time on this earth. The grief at the passing of our father is, at times, unbearable … but, we rejoice that this very good man once lived.
May God bless Warren Tuttle Culver … and welcome him home.

Katherine Garvin Culver passed away from this life on October 13, 2018. She was a resident of Lawrence, Kansas.

Martha Freeny Cummings, 89, passed away on October 4, 2022 in Ooltewah, Tennessee. Martha, formerly Martha Freeny Clark, was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church and a former member of St. Thaddaeus Episcopal Church. Martha has been a resident of LifeCare of Ooltewah for four years.
Born July 17, 1933, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Martha was a long-term resident of Chattanooga. Martha obtained her B.S. in Elementary Education from Maryville College in 1955, her M.Ed. from Emory University in 1968, and completed post-graduate coursework at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She was a devoted educator for most of her life, retiring from Ooltewah Elementary in 1992, and she was an active member in both the Hamilton County Education Association and the Tennessee Education Association.
Martha enjoyed travel and was an avid camper for many years. She loved to read, craft and scrapbook, and spent many years as a member of Toastmasters International. Though she had numerous hobbies, Martha’s favorite, by far, was to visit with her extended family and spend time at her family cabin at the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, Mississippi.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Madge (Morrow) and Nolan Freeny and her husband, Fred Cummings.
She is survived by her children, Laura (Scott) Greenwell, George (Dee) Clark, Pamela (David) Raby, and Robby Clark, as well as nine grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.

Passed away September 28, 2010.

Jan. 26, 1922 – Jan. 6, 2018 Jean was born in New York City on January 26, 1922 to Joseph Byron Stamp and Louisa Goddard Stamp. She died peacefully in her sleep from interstitial lung disease , at the age of 95. Her family was grateful for being able to spend so much time with her during her final months. Jean grew up in Lynbrook, N.Y. and went to college at the University of Iowa where she received a degree in Accounting. Immediately after graduating she enlisted In the WACs and spent over 2 years overseas during World War II. While there she received the Bronze medal, however, her greatest joy while there, was meeting the love of her life, Joseph Bock. They spent time together in Italy after first meeting in Africa where their first date was a camel ride. She collected camels her entire life in honor of that happy first date . They were happily married for 26 years and had 4 children, Greg Bock, Nancy Dickson (Jim), Bette Bock Humenick (Roy) and Kathye Bock. The family lived in East Rockaway, N.Y. until 1964 when they moved to Los Altos, Calif. for Joe’s promotion. Jean went back to college at San Jose State University and received her Masters degree in Librarianship in 1971. Following Joe’s death in 1972 , she moved to Lakeville, Conn. to care for her aging parents. After the passing of her parents, Jean moved to Tucson, Ariz. which she loved. She married Robert Cunningham in 1991 with whom she was married until his death in 2001. Jean moved to Cameron Park to be closer to her children in 2002 and enjoyed living in both the Cameron Park Mobile Home Estates and in Ponte Palmero, where she lived for nearly four years before her passing. Up until her death, Jean was an active and dedicated PEO member. The same was true for her spiritual interest as she spent many years as a member of Mountainside Center for Spiritual Living in Placerville. She had a life long passion for books and worked at the Library in Mountain View, a cute Bookstore in Connecticut, the AZ Historical Society Library and spent many years as a volunteer at Cameron Park Library and was the “Book Table Lady” at her church. Jean has 2 grandsons, Ryan Humenick and Brent Humenick (Jaqui). She was preceded in death by Grandson Keith Bock, who with wife Sofia, fathered her 3 great-granddaughters: Vanessa, Ava and Natalia Bock. She is survived by her older brother Barry Stamp. Jean was a wonderful friend, a loving mother who always wanted the best for her kids, and was a giving and warm person who gave of herself lovingly. She was pleasant to the end which can be attested to by the wonderful caregivers at Ponte Palmero along with those from Bristol Hospice. Both groups provided loving and outstanding care to which her family is forever grateful. She will be missed, but will always be a part of so many people’s memories and lives, especially her loving family…and is surely an angel, as she was one on earth. A Celebration of Life will be held on February 18, 2018 at 1:00 at Placerville Town Hall, 549 Main St., Placerville. Hot Fudge Sundaes will be served (her favorite!). In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Mountainside Center for Spiritual Living or PEO PI.

William Alexander Cunningham passed away January 16, 2019. William resided in Philadelphia, PA.

Passed away on July 22, 2010.

died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013 at her home She was born Oct. 29, 1937, in Washington, D.C. to Anna Lee MacLachlan and John Bernard Pakosh. She graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee and Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, in both education and theology. For several years, Mary taught seniors at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Va. She was a director of Christian education in Charlottesville, Va., and in Cranbury and Shrewsbury, N.J. Later she served as associate director of student programing at The Juilliard School in New York City, as a member of the staff of The Metropolitan Opera, and as program director of Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (Chautauqua) in New Jersey. Throughout her life, Mary had a keen interest in children and young people, especially in teaching and counseling. With her husband, she served for several years as a regional coordinator of the International Christian Youth Exchange. Mary’s involvement in the lives of her children and grandchildren gave her great joy. Her love of music and her many friendships across the years were sources of abundant pleasure. Surviving are her husband, Charles L. Cureton; children, Rebecca (John) Schmidt of Wooster and Stephen (Dawn) Cureton of Catawissa Township, Pa.; and grandchildren, Brianna and John Paul Schmidt, both of Wooster.

of Newport, TN was born June 21, 1918, married J. M. Cureton on June 20, 1945, and died on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she served as Sunday School Teacher, Adult Sunday School Director, and various offices in the WMU and Baptist Training Union. She was a member of Alpha Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, GFWC Newport William Cocke Chapter of National Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), Cocke County Retired Teachers Association and Farm Bureau Women. She attended Newport Grammar School, Cocke County High School graduating as Salutatorian of her class in 1936. Attended Maryville College for two years, took night classes from U T and graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1957 and taught school for 41 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. M. Cureton, her parents Ronald E. and Virgie Wilson, sister, Ersa Wilson Patterson, brothers, Dr. Samuel Mack Wilson, James Edward Wilson, Gene Frederick Wilson, and also sister, Ada Wilson and brother, Earl Wilson who died as infants. She is survived by son, Dr. Robert (Bob) Cureton and his wife, Dr. Judy Cureton, granddaughter, Jenny Lyn Cureton, all of Greeley, Colorado, sister-in-law, Mrs. Lois Wilson, Abington, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Mary Wilson, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Mrs. Doris Wilson, Newton, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

Rev. Charles Ladd Cureton III, age 86, of Wooster died Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster.

He was born November 18, 1934, in Hammonton, New Jersey, to Laurie Evelyn Harrell and Charles Ladd Cureton, Jr.  He graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in June 1960 after his graduation from Princeton Theological Seminary.  Charles also pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Virginia.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Annie Laurie Cureton, and his beloved wife and partner, Mary Ann Cureton (née Pakosh), who passed away on December 17, 2013, and to whom he was married on June 8, 1960, at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.

From 1960 until his retirement in 2001, Charles served Presbyterian churches in Smyrna, Delaware; Arlington, Virginia; Garden City, New York; Charlottesville, Virginia, and Matawan, New Jersey.  For the past 20 years, he served as Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church in Wooster and had the honor and pleasure of virtually participating in a 20^th anniversary celebration of his ministry, teaching, counsel, and a recently published book of prayers in July.

In addition to his ministry and the friends he and Mary made along the way, Charles had a deep love of religious and political history, classical and choral music, Christian education, and travel of any kind.

Charles is survived by his children, Rebecca (John) Schmidt of Wooster and Stephen (Dawn) Cureton of Catawissa Township, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Brianna Lee Schmidt and John Paul Schmidt of Wooster; brothers, Bryant (Jeanette) Cureton of Williamsburg, Virginia, and David Cureton of Massanutten, Virginia, and their children, children’s spouses, and grandchildren.

Betty (Bette) Alverson Coul Curran passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Cuthill, Robert “Bob” passed away at his home in Waverly Gardens on September 6, 2023 at the age of 93. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Yow Cuthill who passed away on Valentine’s Day, 2020, his brother William Cuthill and sister-in-law Germaine Cuthill, and his parents William and Elizabeth Cuthill. Bob is survived by his children Colleen, Stephen, David (Sarah) and Kevin (Maria), nine grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Bob was born in Buffalo, NY on January 12, 1930, the second son of Scottish immigrants. He graduated high school in 1947 with a diploma in machine design, and later earned an American history degree from Maryville College. In 1955 he earned a Master of Divinity degree at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and in 1974 he completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at McCormick Theological Seminary.

Bob met his beloved wife Carolyn on a blind date while in seminary in Kentucky. They were married on June 4, 1955, in Reedville VA. They moved that same year to Fredericktown, Missouri were Bob was called to his first ministry at Cornwall and Fredericktown Presbyterian Church. After a second ministry in Moberly, MO, Bob and Carolyn moved to Creve Coeur, MO in 1963 to start a new congregation – Hope Presbyterian Church. This was one of their proudest accomplishments in a life-long passion and commitment to Christian ministry – welcoming all to be part of a community committed to love and service of others.

The experience at Hope Church led Bob to involvement more broadly in new church development in Missouri. Bob and family moved to Peoria IL in 1973 when Bob became the Presbytery Executive for the Great Rivers Presbytery. In 1979, they moved to Bloomington, Minnesota where Bob served as the Synod Executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Bob retired from active ministry in 1995 but continued to serve in several interim and consultative roles for many more years while also volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.

Bob and Carolyn embraced becoming true Minnesotans, settling in Mound on Lake Minnetonka to enjoy sailing with family and friends on their treasured boat “Free Spirit”. They also traveled the world, deepening years-long friendships and making many new friends along the way! Their travels included countries throughout Western Europe, the Nordics, Eastern Europe (including Moldova, of course, for the wedding of son Kevin to Maria), Russia, Australia and New Zealand, North and South America and South Africa.

Bob and Carolyn moved to Waverly Gardens in 2010, enjoying life fully in this wonderful retirement community of friends and neighbors. Bob was one of the founders of the Wood Shop, donating all of his woodworking tools to the community. Bob was also instrumental in creating an amazing rose garden for all to enjoy.

Bob lived every moment of every day to the fullest, striving always and until his final days to continue learning, reading voraciously, passionately exchanging ideas and perspectives, and challenging himself and others to grow in their life and faith journey. In his final years he persevered through incredible health challenges to enjoy everyday life as well as cherished family gatherings – Christmases at Waverly and attending the college graduations of his grandsons Robert and Broderick. Special thanks to Sarah Martin for bringing such joy to Bob in his final years and to the Care team at Northern Stars for taking such incredible care of Bob and Carolyn the past 8 years.