Ben Lacy Rose, professor emeritus of pastoral leadership and homiletics at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. (now Union-PSCE), died November 13 at his home in Westminster-Canterbury Richmond Retirement Community.
Born Dec. 12, 1914, in Fayetteville, N.C., he was moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.) from 1971 — 1972, and was a Presbyterian pastor for nearly 70 years. He served the Chinquapin, Bethel, and Beulaville churches in Duplin County, N.C.; Central Church in Bristol, Va.; First Church in Wilmington, N.C.; and Chapel on the Boardwalk in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
Dr. Rose served as professor of pastoral leadership and homiletics at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia from 1956-1973 and was named professor emeritus following his retirement. He held three degrees from Union Seminary: He earned the bachelor of divinity (B.D.) in 1938; a master of theology (Th.M.) in 1950; and the doctor of theology (Th.D.) in 1955.
“He was the consummate pastor-theologian,” said Union-PSCE President Louis Weeks. “He cared deeply about the Christian faith and for congregations of people seeking to be faithful to God.”
Dr. Rose was a chaplain in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 31st Infantry Division and the 113th Mechanized Cavalry Group in Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal and the Legion of Merit medal with oak-leaf cluster. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in 1974 with the rank of colonel.
In retirement, he continued to serve in ministry as a supply pastor at Hebron Church in Manakin-Sabot, where weekly attendance grew and the church was expanded under his leadership. He also led chapel at Westminster-Canterbury, gave frequent talks and lectures, and led workshops for church officers.
He was married to the former Anne C. Thompson of Richmond, Va., who died in 2005. She was the daughter of W. T. “Tolly” Thompson, who served as professor of Christian Education at the seminary from 1920 – 1956. Because she moved to Richmond as a young girl when her father was appointed to the faculty, and returned there as Dr. Rose’s wife, she lived on the seminary campus nearly all her life, he said in a recent interview.
This summer Dr. Rose made a large contribution to the seminary, which will help to support the Allen and Jeannette Early Center for Christian Education and Worship (now under construction). The seminary will name the reception area in the Center as the Anne Thompson Rose / Ben Lacy Rose Reception Hall.
Survivors include: a son, Ben Lacy Rose Jr. of Richmond; daughter, Anne Nancy Vosler of St. Louis, Mo.; and daughter Margaret (Peggy) Rose Day of Connecticut; several grandchildren. Daughter Lucy Rose of Decatur, Ga., preceded him in death.
Services were held on Saturday, Nov. 18, at Ginter Park Church in Richmond.
See also:
| A tribute to Ben Lacy Rose (1914-2006) by James H. Smylie November 17, 2006 Ben Lacy Rose, moderator of the 111th General Assembly of the PC US (1971-1972) died in Richmond, Va, November 13 at Westminster Canterbury retirement community two days after Veterans Day. Read More … |
