WORSHIP PROFESSOR REMEMBERED

Dr. Robert Mitchell, a professor of Christianity and the arts at ABSW for 32 years, died Dec. 31, 2002. He was 82 years old.

Mitchell taught church music and worship at both the Covina and Berkeley campuses of ABSW, beginning in 1954.

His interest in hymnody was wide-ranging, from historic Protestant and Catholic worship materials to Third World songs. He spent his sabbaticals teaching and exploring across the globe. A lover of hymnals, carols and spirituals, Mitchell collected some 9,000 hymnals during his lifetime, a collection held at the Claremont School of Theology.

"Bob was an ecumenist and a student of the world," said Dr. Nancy Hall, a former student who carries on Mitchell's teaching work at ABSW. "Few things excited him more than finding a hymnal in a rare language or dialect. Bob was 'multicultural' before the word was invented."

Mitchell was dedicated to the idea that pastors and church musicians should together plan the worship life of their congregations, Hall said. "He believed that music is a ministry and deserves to be addressed through the lens of theology," she added.

In his book "Ministry and Music," Mitchell wrote, "Any hymn sung by the church should be theologically sound. A great deal of theology is firmly established in the consciousness and affections of a congregation through the hymns it comes to know and love."

Mitchell earned his bachelor of arts degree in music in 1947 at the University of Redlands. He received his master of arts degree from Claremont Graduate School in 1961. He did postgraduate studies at New College in Edinburgh and the University of Birmingham, England. In 1984 he was awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree by ABSW.

Mitchell's career included minister of music positions at four California churches. He retired from ABSW in 1986.

"Both Bob and his wife, Kay, were beloved by generations of students for their warm and generous hospitality," Hall said. "Bob was a master of the barbecue grill as well as the piano keyboard. While he was serious about his teaching, Bob also had the greatest laugh and biggest heart of anyone I knew. And he was captivated by the message of the Gospels—both the 'old-time religion' and cutting-edge expressions of the faith were embraced by this gifted servant."

A family memorial was held for Mitchell in Covina.