Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Robert Halfman 1923-2010
We give thanks for the long and faithful life of Robert Halfman, who died on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the age of 87. His wife Ellie and children Peter, Sue, and John are in our prayers. Following his wishes, a remembrance of his life will take place in Meredith, New Hampshire this summer. Please see Bob's page of the UniLu website for more information, and share your reflections and memories here.
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Bob.
ReplyDeleteGentle listener. Honest engager. Smart as a whip.
I believe that just before being born, a human soul looks over all the couples about to have a child and gets to pick out who its parents will be.
ReplyDeleteOut of all the possible fathers, it can't be just due to chance that I got the the one I would have picked.
Peter
A Uni-Lu without Bob Halfman is as unimaginable as a Uni-Lu without Martin Gilman. I remember Bob as being one of the few people who could actually look my father in the eye: a big man with a big heart. I must admit that we Horns were quite happy during his sojourns in India (doing mysterious things -- to us, anyway) because we had a month at the cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee.
ReplyDeleteHe and Eleanor were a great support to my parents during their time in Cambridge ... and particularly in the last few years.
I'm pretty sure that I speak for all the Horn clan in mourning his passing and sending all our love and prayers to Eleanor, Peter, Sue, and John.
Marguerite
Dear Eleanor and family,
ReplyDeleteHere's a voice out of your distant past (the Steimle era). I remember well the leadership that you and Bob provided during my student years, and the memories of picnics at your parents' home in Newburyport (the Ottos) are particularly vivid. Worship was a vital experience each week, and our Sunday evenings of learning and song were hours among special friends. I reach out to you in sympathy and gratitude as I note Bob's death reported in the latest INKSPOT.
My own journey has taken me to a precious marriage of 52 years, five children (all married), eleven grandchildren, parish ministry, synod staff, 15 years in campus ministry including regional director and executive director of NLCM, 12 years as President of California Lutheran University, and current retirement over the past 14 years. Margaret and I continue to enjoy good health in Thousand Oaks, CA. Unilu has meant a great deal to us through the years.
All the best to the Halfmans and the continuing mission of University Lutheran Church.
Jerry H. Miller, Harvard '53
msmjhm@aol.com
Amazing how families don't communicate with one another. My condolences.
ReplyDeleteI was a student at MIT 1970-1973 and Bob was my adviser. It is hard to express the very large impact he had on me, always patiently listening and, where appropriate, offering subtle and insightful advice.
ReplyDeleteI wish the very best to the Halfmans for 'lending' me Bob during his days at MIT and for the deep gift I received.
Thank you!
jca