Class Notes

Reverend Robert D. Smith, formerly of Schoharie, NY, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2019, in Elmira, after a courageous 17-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Robert was born in Germantown, MD, to the late Ray and Glenna (DuVall) Smith. He met his wife, Julia, while attending Maryville College in Tennessee. Knowing he had been called to be a Presbyterian minister, Robert continued on to the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. After graduating from seminary, he began his early ministry by living the gospel as a community organizer in the inner cities of Detroit, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. In 1970, Robert and his family moved to Schoharie, where he began his 17-year ministry as pastor of the Schoharie Presbyterian Church larger parish which was composed of Carlisle, Esperance, Breakabeen, and North Blenheim churches. During this same time period in Schoharie, Robert, even with all of his familial and religious responsibilities, created time to appreciate the simple, quiet beauty of life. One of his life’s many projects was to hand-build a beautiful stone house modeled after those he saw while participating in an ecumenical work camp in Denmark. In many ways, this embodied his persistence and dedication to long term goals. Just as Robert carefully selected sedimentary rocks and stones from creek beds and fields to form the foundation of his house, he immersed himself in numerous settings to lay the groundwork for being a minister. Just as he admired the beauty and the challenges of the rocks in their earthly journeys, Robert applied thoughtfulness when he ministered to the sick, homeless, and poor, as a pastor. After choosing the stones for his house, Robert methodically, boldly, and enthusiastically constructed a house with breathtaking features–a spiral staircase, and graceful, measured leaded glass windows. This deliberate, authentic attitude translated to the 17 years that he oversaw the Schoharie parishes. His open-mindedness and resourcefulness during construction mirrored his admirable ability to foster long term growth in congregations and communities, highlighting their strengths and beauty. Indeed, the finished product, a “stone house on the hill,” worthy of its Danish inspiration, served as a noble tribute to Robert’s most important values in life: service and love. Simply, Robert strived to exemplify the principled life that Jesus–a carpenter himself, no less–called upon us to live as children of God. At the conclusion of his time in Schoharie, Robert spent one year in Scotland participating in a pulpit exchange before living in the “stone house on the hill.” Several years later, Robert returned to his calling, which was his passion for revitalizing urban congregations, such as the ones at the Schenectady State Street Presbyterian Church and the Vale Community. In addition, he enjoyed serving the congregation at Christ Church of the Hills in Rotterdam. Later, he was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus of the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by Julia, his beloved wife of 55 years; son, Stephen; and sister, Gay Fetrow. He is survived by his children: David (Donna) of Limington, ME; Mark of Goodland, FL; Jonathan of Cobleskill, NY; Amy (Peter) Finnerty of Elmira; his daughters-in-law, Susanne (Marcy, NY) and Denise (Cobleskill, NY); his sister, Patricia Watkins of Frederick, MD; his grandchildren, Hayden and Harrison (Stephen), Emma (David), Zackary and Alexander (Jonathan), Andrew, Patrick, and Alisaundre (Amy); along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service for Robert will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 1pm, at the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church. Please join his family in celebrating his life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Schoharie United Presbyterian Church or Schenectady State Street Presbyterian Church. Robert’s tribute wall may be signed at www.olthof.com.

Robert (Bob) Ellsworth Stevens, 85, of Evanston, IL died peacefully  with his son & wife by his side on Thursday February 9, 2023, in new Smyrna Beach Florida after a short stay at the hospital.

Bob was born on November 6,1937, to Lilliam & OE (Steve) Stevens in Baltimore, MD and grew up in the northern suburb of Towson with his younger sister Lynnie.  He graduated from Towson HS in 1955 & after a year t Baltimore City College transferred to Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.  After completing his degree, he worked for Young Life in youth ministry and later attended Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.  While on Young Life staff, he met and married Jane Haught in 1962 and together they ad two children, Cathy (1966) and Rob (1968).

In 1978, he was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in Atlanta.  Shortly thereafter he started working at St Stephen’s Episcopal church in Lakeland, Florida.  He helped that church grow into a parish and became their first rector.  In 1987, he served as rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando, Florida until his retirement in 1998.

For Bob, family was everything and our underpinning of support.  He was loving, honest and fiercely cared about the world and those around him.  He was an avid reader and a crazy sports fan.  He loved the Atlanta Braves and became a huge fan of the Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse team.  (National Champs for 3 years in a row) There were many nights of rare steak, good wine and lively conversation shared with family and dear friends.  He most cherished the time he spent with his grandchildren.  He lived a full and happy life and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 60+ years, jane, sister Lynnie, son Rob (Jennifer), daughter Cathy (Rick), and 4 wonderful grandchildren, Hannah & Jack Stevens and Steve & Lillian Gustafson, and many extended family.