Alumni News

Dr. James A. Fiske (’70)

By sthalum October 20th, 2024 in Alumni/ae Deaths

James (Jim) A. Fiske

July 23, 1936 – September 26, 2024

Born in Salem, Oregon, Jim’s youth revolved around music—band, orchestra, and choir. His first jobs included working in the fields picking strawberries and beans and, at age 16, in a local cannery. During college years, he worked in an ice-cream factory.

At Willamette University, he enrolled in the School of Music. While there, Jim and Judy met. A romantic relationship grew during band tours, and they were married before finishing college. Jim spent a fifth year at the university, because he had enrolled in the Advanced Air Force ROTC program. When he realized the reason they were training them to fly was to drop bombs on people, he left the program after a court martial. Then, because of all the courses in Military Air Science, he needed another year to complete his other requirements for graduation.

At that time, Jim and Judy heard a visiting missionary speak. They both felt “the call,” which led to their being accepted by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and sent to Japan as “short termers.” They taught music at North Japan College, helped at the Student Center, and worked with local churches. Jim wrote, “We took one child with us and returned with two more ‘made in Japan,’ as our youngest puts it.”

After three years, they returned to the U.S., where Jim taught public school music for three years before going to Boston University School of Theology. During those four years, Jim served local churches. Although they had been Congregationalists, now they had become Methodists.

After graduation, they returned to Japan, where they spent their first two years in Language School in Tokyo. Then they moved to Kobe. At the Canadian Academy, Jim taught the band for four years. His primary assignment was to Shima no Uchi church in Osaka, where he served with Rev. Nishihara. After five years, Jim moved to Kei Mei girls school, where he taught English and Bible, and served on the Board of Trustees. On many weekends, he traveled to churches on Awaji Island in the Inland Sea.

For their last six years in Japan, Jim  was pastor of Kobe Union Church, an international, inter-denominational congregation. It was during these years that Jim completed D. Min. studies at the School of Theology in Claremont, studying primarily with John Cobb. Because Judy wanted to pursue a career in Counseling Psychology, they returned to the U.S., where Jim served churches in the greater Portland, Oregon area.

In 2000, they retired and spent a year and a half as full time “RV-ers,” circling the outline of the U.S., and eventually settling in Salem. In 2005 they entered Pilgrim Place, where Jim was a master woodworker, member of the Chorale, member and, at the end, director of the Winsor Brass. Jim and Judy were active members of the Claremont UMC.

Rev. Robert L. Campbell (’54)

By sthalum October 13th, 2024 in Alumni/ae Deaths

This obituary was originally posted by The Patriot Ledger and can be found here.

The Rev. Robert L. Campbell of South Weymouth died on September 14th at the South Shore Hospital just days before his much anticipated 100th birthday. He was born on September 23, 1924. Robert leaves his wife Barbara and his children, Nancy Moody (Jim Moody, deceased) of East Granby, CT; Dr. Judy Campbell (Jay Delaune) of Needham, MA; David Campbell of Needham; Dr. Steven Campbell (Jill Campbell) of San Antonio, TX.

His five grandchildren are Bennett Delaune (Ashtin Delaune) of Needham; Bonnie Delaune (Sam Davis) of Jamaica Plain, MA; Dr. Julia Campbell of Miami, FL; Caroline Campbell of San Antonio, TX and Anna Moody of CT. He also leaves a much loved little great-grandson, Milo Davis. Robert’s deceased siblings were his sisters Joy Voss (CA) and Eloise Henry (PA), and his brothers, Alan Campbell (CA) and Gordon Campbell (CA). A sister, Susie Allen, resides in CA.

Bob was born in Burbank, CA to Raymond and Ruth Campbell and grew up in Sweetgrass, MT, where his father was a customs officer on the Canadian border. When the family moved back to CA, he completed high school as class valedictorian. He graduated from the University of the Pacific with a BA degree. He then moved east and pastored a group of churches in VT for a year before enrolling in Boston University School of Theology. He served a church in R.I. while completing his Master of Divinity at B.U. in 1954, after which he served churches in Abington and Rockland, MA.

While at BU, Bob had met his future wife, Barbara Lockhart, an undergraduate at BU (CAS). They married in 1955 and lived on the South Shore of Boston for all 69 years of their marriage. Their children were born and raised in South Weymouth. Bob was a very involved parent who attended school concerts, scouting activities, sports events and dance recitals.

Bob was the minister of Porter Methodist Church in Weymouth for 9 years. For 28 years, Bob worked in the probation department of the Quincy District Court, commuting daily by bicycle for the 15-mile round-trip, rain or shine. He was also the minister of Beechwood Congregational Church in Cohasset for 20 years. His yearly Christmas pageants were a treasured holiday tradition. Bob was an occasional square dance caller at churches for adult and youth social events.

Bob was a runner, an avid reader, had a great interest in science and astronomy, and enjoyed playing chess. Family camping trips at Covered Bridge Campground in the White Mountains were a yearly summer highlight. Bob played his harmonica at evening campfires and led star-gazing. He also led family hikes to overnight shelters. Bob hiked all sixty-seven 4000 foot mountains in New England. He climbed Mt. Washington many times, alone and with family, including on his 80th birthday. Other hikes included Mt. Whitney in California, and the Matterhorn and Mt. Pollux in Switzerland with his sons. Bob and Barbara enjoyed more traveling after retirement.

The family will be gathering for a private memorial service.

Rev. Wilson Alan Delamater (’77)

By sthalum October 13th, 2024 in Alumni/ae Deaths

This obituary was originally posted by Armer Funeral Home, Inc. and can be found here.

Reverend Wilson “Alan” Delamater, 72, a pastor and District Superintendent for the United Methodist Church, passed away peacefully at his home in Burnt Hills, NY.

Alan was born on January 22, 1952 to Wilson F. Delamater and Beatrice Gerling Delamater. He graduated from Amsterdam High School before earning his undergraduate degree from Baldwin Wallace University and attending seminary at Boston University School of Theology.

Alan was appointed a Deacon in 1975 and ordained an Elder in 1980 by the United Methodist Church. He served as the Pastor at Calvary-Pine Hills UMC in Albany, Burnt Hills UMC, Jonesville UMC, and Fisher UMC in Schenectady.

In 1998, Alan was appointed the Adirondack District Superintendent of the Troy Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and served in this role until 2006. Following his superintendency, he served as the Senior Pastor of Shenendehowa UMC in Clifton Park until 2015.

Alan’s compassionate demeanor as well as his faithful dedication to help and serve others will be deeply missed but not forgotten. He was a strong advocate for efforts to promote social justice and the advancement of human rights.

The family would like to give special thanks to his incredible Care Team at Community Hospice and NurseCore. In particular: Wilmont, Ed, Rebecca, Jean, Jen, Brian, Laura, and Christine.

Alan was predeceased by his parents and wonderful sister, Deborah Delamater Campbell. He is survived by his loving spouse, Deborah Roberts-Delamater and children Sarah E. Roberts and Matthew Roberts (Colleen Quinn), as well as his sister in law Roxanne Baugh and nephews Jordan Baugh (Angelle) and Aaron Baugh.

Family, friends and colleagues are invited to calling hours from 5pm to 7pm EDT on Friday, October 4, 2024 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa NY 12020. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11am EDT at the Saratoga Springs UMC, 175 Fifth Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alan’s honor to UMCOR or your local food bank, in honor of his lifelong commitment to service and faith, or the Alzheimer’s Association.