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Emrick, Howard C.
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Dr. Howard
C. Emrick
290
Western Pennsyh•ania Conference
Howard Charles Emrick
June 9, 1907
January 3, 1992
Howard Charles Emrick was a Methodist minister for
twenty-seven years in the Pittsburgh Conference and then
became Chaplain and Department Chairman of the Religion and Philosophy Department at Adrian College in
\
Adrian, Michigan for 16 years. " Mr. Optimist" was a term
accorded him by his many friends and acquaintances as he
went abou t his many daily tasks serv ing the college, the
church, and the community.
Howard was born June 9, 1907, in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, the eldest of seven children born to Charles Ross and
Ethel Peters Emrick. He graduated from Wilkinsburg High
School in 1924 and worked for a year before deciding to go
on to college, which was a momentous decision for he
would have to support himself- every cent of the way. Although jobs were plenteous, the pay was minimal for students who had to pay for room, board, tuition, books, and
personal needs. However, not much time was lost in combining a rigorous schedule in academics, at hletics (football, basketba ll, and baseball), and student activities. His leadership skills were developed early and resulted in student leadership positions throughout
those four years. As editor of the school n ewspaper and part-time newspaper reporter of
a thleti c events for the local paper, he found an outlet for his interest in writing.
H e married the former Ru th E. Dunkerley in Novembe r of 1932. To this union were
born three daughters: Marilyn B. Bland, Kathryn L. Mathey, and Elizabeth Ann Loh r. He
is survived by eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
By his senior year, with the collapse of the economy, school teaching positions were in
short supply, so he had ca use to rethink his aspirations and goals. The Emrick household
h ad always been one of Ch ri stian interests and Bible study, open as a hospitable place for
missionaries, evangelists a nd visi ting ministers for special events in the church. These
gu ests had a great innuence on the li ves of four of th e seven siblings - all of whom gave
th eir li ves to fu ll-time Ch risti an serv ice. Three months before graduation Howard decided to go in to the fullt ime ministry of the Methodist Protestant Church .
He spent two years at th e Reformed Presbyte ri an Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania near his home a nd the third year at Westm inister Seminary on the Weste rn Maryla nd
College Campus. today known as the Wesley Seminary in Washington D.C. In 1970 this
se minary bestowed the distinguished John C. Wesley Award on him for outstanding serv ice to the church a nd comm unity. He also was th e recipient of a Doctor of Di vinity degree from his alma mater, Ge neva College.
After gradu ation from seminary Howard served pastorates in Am ity, PA (1932-36),
Sharpsbu rg, PA (1936-194 5), Latrobe, PA (1945-195 2), and Ellwood City, PA (19 521956).
Post graduate stud ies continu ed for several yea rs at the Presbyterian Seminary, Norths ide Pittsburgh. PA for his Masters Degree in Sacred Theology. H e earned a Ph.D . from
th e Uni versity of Pittsburgh in 1959.
In 1956. having completed his studies, he received an invitation from Dr. John H.
D awson, President o f Adri a n College. Ad rian, Michigan, to become the C haplain and
Professor of Religion a t th e college. This required much soul searching and prayer. He
h ad had considerable ex perience working with young people in the Conference as a
t eac her. recreati onal leader, a nd dean of youth institutes at Waynesburg and the early
yea rs at Jumonville. Those yea rs were filled with j oy a nd spiritual inspi rati on a nd a love
for worki ng with the youth of the church . H e also worked with Leadership Training
Schools for adult s. In the summ er of 1956 he worked a t the Methodist Center in place of
Re verend Home r Clark, who had passed away, as di rector for Youth Work a nd as Chair-
Memoirs
291
man of the Board of Education and Missions.
Howard made the decision to join the teaching staff at Adrian College in the fall of
1956. His sixteen years at the college before his re tirement were happy and rewarding
years. His continuing education in the field of religion and philosophy enriched his love
for teaching courses a lso in ethics and aesthetics. He served as Department C hai rman of
religion and philosop hy for most of his years at the college. He se rved also as a n assistant
coac h in football, and later for seven years as the head baseball coach, th us finding satisfac tion in his love of ath letics.
Among his man y ho nors, Howard was the recipient of a Doctor of Divini ty Degree
from Geneva College. He also was honored in 1985 at Adrian College with a HOWARD
EMRICK DAY, in commemoration of his many contributions to Adrian College and the
local community.
During his years at Adrian College he found time to be a supply pastor at the Holloway
Presbyterian Church for four yea rs and the Somerset Congregational Church for seven
years, as well as a visiting pastor for the Adrian Church for two years.
His community act ivities were varied and far-reaching, including his many yea rs of involvement with various chapters of the Rotary Club as both membe r and officer, Good
Will, the Masons, the Audubon Society, the Library Board, the Retired Ministers Association, the Geneva Alumni Association, various local ath letic groups, and numerous other
activities too numerous to mention.
He was a compassionate counselor to students and the college community. He loved
people and found so me good in every person he ever knew. He was a good preacher, an
active community leader, an interesting, able teacher, a worthy counselor and a friend to
m a nkind.
Robert James Higerd
November 8, 1909
July 15, 1991
Robert James Higerd was born to Eva Beers Higerd and
Floyd A. Higerd in Bellevue, Pennsylvania on November 8,
1909. He graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University as a
mechanical engineer, and was employed for several area industries including Carnegie Steel, H.J. Heinz Company,
• ,.f
Kennemetal, Crucible and McGraw-Edison.
On March 30, 1935 he wed Lois Jean Murphy Higerd of
Homestead, Pa. To their union four sons were born. They
arc Robert J. Higcrd II of Flemington, New Jersey; William
A. Higcrd of Pompano Beach, Florida; Thomas B. Higcrd
of Charleston, South Carolina and Ja mes L. Higcrd of
Lo veland , Colorado. He is survived also by nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces
and nephews.
While a member of the Deaver Uni ted Methodist
Church, Robert heard God's call to ministry. He received
his license as a local pastor in 1968. He was a grad uate of the Course of Study at Wesley
Seminary, and was ordained Deacon in 1974 by Bishop Roy C. Nichols. He served as
pastor in Smith Ferry from 1969-1979, and served as pastor of Smiths Ferry and
Georgetown from 1979 to 1982 before retirement in 1982. After retiring, he served as a
pastor of visitation at the Rochester First United Methodist Church for several years. He
was also actively involved, and served a term as chairman of the Deaver County Child
Evange lism Fellowship. A member of the Masonic Order, he was a life member of The
Syria Temple, Pittsburgh.
The Lord took Robert to his e ternal home on Jul y 15, 1991 following a very short hospitalization. A beautiful memorial service was held at the Beaver United Methodist
Chu rch with many of the a rea pastors sharing in the service. The funeral meditat ion was
V I T
A
HowaJz.d ChaJtl eo Em!U.c.k.
CHAPLAIN AND PROFESSOR OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY, 7956 -
P~eoent ,
at
ADRIAN COLLEGE, ADRIAN, MICHIGAN (49227)
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Educational
bac.k.g~ound
and
deg~eeo:
Graduated from Wilkinsburg High School, Pennsyl vania, 1924.
Graduated from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa., 1929 with B.S.
Attended the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pa., 1930-31.
Graduated from Westminster The ological Seminary, 1932, with S.T.B.
(Westminster is now Wes l e y Theological Seminary of Washington, D.C.)
Graduated from Western Theological Seminary , Pittsburgh, Pa., 1940 with
S.T. M. (Master of Sacre d Theology), now Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Graduated from University of Pittsburgh r-;i th Ph . D. degree, 1959.
A.waltd6 and ho noM :
Hono~y Docto~ o6 D~v~nity deg~ee g~anted by Geneva College, 7955.
Named :to fu;t o6 Otvt:l.ltancU.ng Educ.a.toM b t Arn~c.a ( 7970 l ecU;t:.{.on).
Named ;to rneJnbeMhip in ;the. Soue;ty ot) John Weoley, 1970 (by Weol ey Semituvz.y}
P~o6eo~~onal Bac.kg ~o und :
Served as a full-time minister of the following Me thodi st Churches:
Fox Chapel, Pa.
1929-32)
Amity, Pa .
1932-36) Wester n Pennsylv ani a Confer ence of the
Sharpsburg, Pa.
1936-45) Methodis t Church (formerly Pittsburgh
Latrobe, Pa.
1945-52) Con fer e nce )
Ellwood City, Pa .
1952-56)
Hollowa y , Michigan
1956- 60 Part-time Pastor , Rais in Pr es b yterian Church
President of the Boards of Education &Missions &Church Extension of the Pittsburgh (now Western Pa.) Conference of the
Firs t Unite d Me t hodis t Church, Adrian, Micn i gan. Methodi s t Church
.
MembeMMp.6:
American Association o f uni versi t y Professor s .
American Academy of Reli gion.
Na t ional Associ ation f or the Advan cement of Col or ed Peopl e .
Religi o us Ed uca tion Associa t ion .
Ci tizens to Advance Public Educa tion (Michigan) , Board of Directors.
Goodwill I ndustr ies of Southeastern Michigan, Board of Directors .
Vice-Presi den t , Y.M.C.A., and Board of Direct ors .
Past-president and ac tive member of Adrian Rotary Club; Board of Directors
Adrian Inter-Cl ub Council, Board of Directors .
Past-presi den t & Board of Di rectors, Associat ed Charities of Lenawee County.
D!}roit Conference Board of Minist~ s ince 1968
T.4av~ exp~enc.e:
A
Have traveled off and on t hrough the states along the eastern seaboard; spent
8 weeks of study at Harvard Uni versity, summer of 1964, during whi ch t i me we traveled over much of New Englan d ; spent 44 days on a trip to Europe, f.!ay 18-July 1,
1967, during which time we visited in Southern France, Switzerland, rvest Germany,
the Netherlands, Paris and environs, London, Cambridge and Oxford in England, and
Edinburgh, Scotland; in 1969 we visited 13 National Parks in Western u.s.A.
PeMonal
Bac.kg~ound:
Married the former Ruth E. Dunkerl e y,a graduate of Geneva College (B.A.,B.O . ),
Nov . 4, 1932; have 3 daughters and 9 grandchildren. Have summer cottage in
Pa . Home address: 1250 University Avenue , Adrian, Michigan 49221.
Emrick, Howard C.