In Memoriam of Rev. Dr. F. Thomas Trotter (STH ’53 & GRS ’58)
Rev. Dr. F. Thomas Trotter (STH ’53 & GRS ’58) died late Friday evening, July 26 at the age of 93.
Dr. Trotter dedicated his life to God and humanity in service of The United Methodist Church, and also, in so many ways, to Claremont School of Theology. Raised in Los Angeles, Dr. Trotter earned his BA (1950) from Occidental College and his STB (1953) and PhD (1958) from Boston University. He also holds honorary degrees from ten colleges and universities. His academic interests included religion and the arts, and religion in higher education.
He served the church as a pastor, and as chair to many organizations including the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation. He also served as the General Secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church for fourteen years, where he launched the United Methodist Africa University in Zimbabwe and contributed to the revitalization of academic standards of the University Senate.
STH Dean’s Advisory Board Member, Rev. Dr. Donald Messer, writes,
“Another great leader of our church and higher education has passed. What a major contribution he made is his leadership, scholarship and publications. For over 30 years he mentored me: first as the young president of Dakota Wesleyan in the 1970’s, then as Iliff’s president. We traveled to China together and collaborated on a confidential project with Bishop K. H. Ting. I headed the University Senate visit to Alaska Pacific, when he was President there. His vision of a university in Africa and his concern for the Pacific Rim kept him always thinking on the cutting edge. His book, Loving God With One’s Mind, epitomizes his perspective. How blessed I was to know him.”
Dr. Trotter is survived by many close friends, colleagues, and family including his wife of sixty-six years, Gania Demaree Trotter; their three daughters, Ruth Trotter and her spouse Brett Watterson, Tania Trotter Batson and her spouse the Rev. Greg Batson, and Mary Trotter and her spouse Robert Kaufman; and grandchildren.
The family is planning a memorial service for Saturday, August 31, at Claremont United Methodist Church (211 W Foothill Boulevard, Claremont, CA 91711).
Read Rev. Dr. Trotter’s full memorial post here on General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.