Professor Emeritus of Religion Roy Melugin was scheduled to visit Austin College later this month, to present a lecture and to have the opportunity to visit with old friends. Sadly, his illness progressed more quickly than anticipated and he died April 9 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Austin College community lost a dear friend. Even those who didn’t know him well will remember his ready smile, warm spirit, and passion for his work.Interviewed for Austin College’s magazine in 1987, Dr. Melugin said, “I hope the way I teach religion gives students a sense that it has to do with life and that I would be the kind of caring, understanding person that I teach about.”
His students, colleagues, and friends will attest that his teaching — and his life — were testament to that hope fulfilled.
— Vickie Kirby, Austin College Sr. Director of Editorial Communication
I and my colleagues in the Society of Biblical Literature want to send our condolences to Roy's family. He has contributed a great deal to biblical studies especially in his work on the prophets. An equal contribution was always found in his willingness to help with whatever the project. He was a serious scholar and teacher but equally important a human being of good will and a ready smile. How could one ever forget his contagious laughter. We have been enriched by his life.
ReplyDeleteCordially,
Kent Harold Richards
Executive Director
Professor of Old Testament
Roy was one of my first professors at AC. What I remember most was that his comments on my first paper were longer than the paper itself. That told me immediately how much he cared about what he taught, who he taught, and how he taught it. As someone trying to follow a similar career, Roy remains a model. I'm so sorry to hear about his passing.
ReplyDeleteCraig Brewer
Roy was my small group professor for Heritage 22 and I liked him very much. I remember he wrote a comment on my paper saying he thought I was capable of doing really good scholarly work, even though this particular paper wasn't very good. And he moderated the most invigorating class debates I remember from AC--which is saying a lot! I miss him already.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard this news, I immediately dug out the t-shirt my classmates created for our 1996 "Visions of Suffering's End" class. We had pasted a picture of Roy over God's face in the classic Far Side cartoon about a game show, with the caption "...and the answer is, 'Sennacherib'! That's another 500 points for God, and, uh-oh, looks like our current champion, Norman, hasn't even scored yet."
ReplyDeleteI am very fond of Roy and miss him immensely. He was always so kind and cheerful; he knew how to prioritize his life so that people came first. Wishing his family peace.
Karen Hooper Blaney '97
When I read about a professor's passing, I am always reminded of the caliber of the faculty at Austin College -- a fact which I'm sure was lost on me while I was a student -- and Dr. Melugin was no exception....
ReplyDeleteI only had the privilege of having him as a professor for one class --and Introduction to Religion -- which was sort of a "how to think about and go about studying religion". At the time, the class wasn't what I thought it was going to be about, but I am amazed by how many times I find myself thinking about that class because there has been some reference in my life that I realize I only get because of a fact I learned in his class.
I suppose the hope of every professor is that each and every student can find a practical application and use for his or her imparted knowledge. Well, this former student can definitely say that Dr. Melugin's influence has made a permanent mark on my life. I know of no better tribute.
Rest in peace....
Harry Whitford, Class of 1994.
What an amazing man and professor. He truly impacted my academic experience and my practical application of the Bible. I remember his insights and comments frequently. He will be missed.
ReplyDeleteJodi Collins '00
I am eternally grateful that I had Roy as my advisor, and especially that I took Hebrew from him one Jan Term. I regret that I did not follow his advice on two things, that I take German (I took French instead) and that I did not apply to Yale Divinity School.
ReplyDeleteI did keep in touch with Roy and he tolerated the fact that I eventually got a Master's degree in religion at Harvard, where my thesis was on Jesus' mandate to serve the poor.
I am sure that my theology and preaching are informed by him in ways which are largely unconcious to me.
Rest eternal Roy, and may light perpetual shine upon you.
The Very Reverend G. Thomas Luck
St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
Syracuse, New York
Class of 1978
Roy was such a dedicated teacher - and very accessible. He took time to talk with and listen to students; I remember visiting with him over lunch in the SUB, wrestling over questions of how to hear and follow God's leading.
ReplyDeleteRoy was on my thesis committee; his comments, as others have noted, pushed me to be more precise, to look closer at the details.
His focus on justice, I'm sure, but probably more so his manner of life have influenced my path toward ordination, and he continues to serve for me as an example of how "to study the Holy
Scriptures, to seek nourishment from them, and to model
your life upon them" and through both life and teaching, "to show Christ's people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself."
I'm grateful to have known him.
Tracie Middleton '98
Roy was my advisor and such a very good friend. He so shaped my understanding of the Bible, especially the prophets, and prepared me for all the theological study that I've done since.
ReplyDeleteHe also showed me what it meant to be a person of faith who sought greater understanding in all he did. His humor, care, and mentoring have been some of the most important of my life. Roy is the epitome of the person who spends his life in apparently ordinary pursuits while all the time he is having the greatest imaginable impact on the world.
Thanks be to God for his life and work. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
The Rev. Dr. Donna McNiel
University Multifaith Chaplain
University of the Pacific
AC class of 1994
What a light Roy Melguin has been in his life for so many. I had Roy for biblical heritage and my bible retains the evidence from the class as I wrote in pen during his lectures (better to read for the exam). I still like to think of Roy as the grandfather I never had. And, I will always remember his irreverent denominational jokes. I am grateful that his family shared him with so many.
ReplyDeleteKristen O'Brien Tinajero
Class of 1996
I fondly remember Roy as a very gentle, humble, and kind person who was always a blessing to fellowship with.
ReplyDeleteDr. David R. Reagan
Former Professor of Political Science
I just found out about Roy's passing in the latest AC magazine. It brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say. So many have said it so well.
Roy had a passion for what he taught and that passion was contagious. He cared deeply for his students.
He put up with me for many classes and continued to keep in touch after graduation. He took me to lunch. He payed attention.
He wanted me to go to Yale Divinity School too. The fact that he thought I should go there said a lot and I hold that dear. But I didn't go there and I know that he was not disappointed in me.
Some of my favorite memories of Roy come after AC when I was doing an internship in Fort Worth during seminary at the church he and Sylvia attended. I was asked to teach a summer adult Sunday school series. I decided to teach on the prophets- Roy had lit the spark for my interest there. Roy and Sylvia came to those classes that summer- as if I wasn't intimidated enough already. But he was kind and toughtful and helpful. He was ever the student- ready for more conversation and learning, even about something in which he was an expert, taught by some measly little seminary student still eager to impress her beloved professor.
He celebrated with me in my graduation from seminary and my ordination to Ministry of the Word and Sacrament.
Daily I give thanks that I had the opportunity to know Roy, to learn from him, and to be cared for my him.
Prayers for Sylvia and their family- prayers of thanksgiving and prayers for peace.
Rev. Camille LeBron Powell
Second Presbyterian Church
Little Rock, AR
Class of 1998
I give thanks for the life, witness and ministry of Roy Melugin. Roy was my mentor at Austin College, and played an integral role in my life during those four years. Roy introduced me to the world of the prophets(Old Testament and modern), encouraged me to study philosophy along with religion, and officiated at Jill's and my wedding after graduation. Roy demonstrated a deep commitment to the subject matter and his students as well as a profound and contagious sense of delight.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read from Amos or Isaiah, I hear Roy's voice. When I have the opportunity to stand with a nervous groom before the wedding service begins, I remember the jokes Roy told me right before my wedding!
Sylvia, as Jill and I give thanks for Roy's life, we hold you and your family in our prayers during this time.
Rev. Bill Clark
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Austin, Texas
AC Class of 1983
My AC roommate, Bill Clark, told me that if I was ever going to take a religion class, it had to be with Roy Melugin. So I decided to enroll in an Old Testament course out of intrigue, and was totally mesmerized by the insight, knowledge and humor of Dr. Melugin. I still hold fond memories of that class, where Roy opened my young eyes to the OT prophets and the Bible. I concur with Rev. Clark that when I come across passages of Amos or Isaiah, Dr. Melugin comes to mind. His passion was inspiring, and I looked at the text in a new and wonderful way under his guidance. Roy was also supportive of my many other efforts at AC, including acting, and that meant much to me. It was a blessing and honor to know this wonderful man, and may God’s grace and unconditional love pour over you, Sylvia, and others who loved Roy.
ReplyDeleteMark Kinsey Stephenson
AC Class of 1981
My wife Karol and I knew Dr. Melugin through the Committee of Concern about Vietnam, a small group of Austin College students and faculty opposed to the war which I helped to lead in 1967-68. Dr. Melugin was always supportive and friendly, although he may not have completely agreed with all activities. (In a national context, they were quite tame, but some folks at AC and Sherman considered them radical.) Although he was a new faculty member, he was one of only two (the other being Linn Mackey) who regularly stood in a 30-minute silent vigil outside the Union Building at noon on Fridays for several months. His presence meant a lot. He clearly was a man who acted on his beliefs. I’m sorry I didn’t get to take one of his courses.
ReplyDeleteKarol recalls a humorous incident that reflects Dr. Melugin’s ability to bond with students and his peers. She and other students individually asked Myron Low, a history professor, to autograph a photo of himself, saying that as ardent admirers, they always carried the photo. Dr. Melugin joined in, presenting his own copy of the photo for an autograph.
Karol and I briefly saw Dr. Melugin again when we visited AC on a college-search trip with a daughter in 1998. His very warm welcome after 30 years impressed on us what a terrific person he was.
Kent Middleton, AC class of ‘68
a lively fellow with a twinkle in smiling fresh approach to an otherwise possibly boring discipline...fondly remembered. Thank you, Dr. Roy Melugin
ReplyDeleteNBSanders class of '72