Melville Y. Stewart, Ph.D., D.D.

Melville Y. Ph.D., D.D. Age 85 of Zimmerman, MN. Went to be with the Lord on his 85th birthday, June 19, 2020. In honor and loving memory of Melville Y. Stewart, PhD, D.D. Dad died on the date of his birthday and while he didn't like getting older, he probably thought he was able to get out of one last Birthday celebration. Little did he realize the celebration about to happen as he was welcomed to his Heavenly home! Since he loved to travel, what better day to make this long awaited journey. His whole life he spent moving about creation, whether as a child being shuffled to the 18 different homes he lived in before adulthood, or the family vacations he drove our family around the country in the Chevy station wagon with trailer in tow while mom navigated our way thru national parks, or the study abroad trips he took his college students on, or the numerous trips to Russia, China, and Peru later in life as he and mom ventured on and they continued the work God had called them to do. His calling to teach started before he was called to the Pastorate in youth ministry. After pastoring several churches in New England he was called to teach at Bethel University in MN. Whether it was in the classroom or at home over dinner with us kids his passion was challenging us to understand our purpose and what God had planned for our lives. As a Christian Apologist, he spent his time writing the many books and papers he presented at conferences at over 70 universities around the globe including dozens of trips to China and Russia. He frequently talked about his cronies in the SCP. (Society of Christian Philosophers) He loved to take up a discussion and was always prepared to defend the reasons for his faith in his Savior, Jesus. He challenged us kids to know what we believe and why we believe it putting faith into simpler terms than the Philosophers and Theologians he encountered in the academic world, as he was prepared better than most anyone to debate the validity of the Scriptures. Whether it was the trips he took to view significant historic documents and archaeological evidence, or the many languages he studied and worked in to both understand the meaning of scripture and explain it in a meaningful way, his passion never stopped. With his 34th book waiting for publication, his works have been translated into several languages. Dad was a family man and kept the family together as he encouraged generations to gather and fellowship while cherishing memories and making new ones. He was always looking to reconcile and bring us all together. Yearly he sent a summary of events and updates in the form of a Christmas letter that so many received. After nearly 63 years of marriage he spent his strength and energy caring for his wife in his last days, cancelling trips to visit with friends they had come to know over the years. Yet he continued to stay in touch thru email that often times crashed. It's amazing though considering he was one of the last to give up the typewriter, he soon learned how many more opportunities there were in academia with a keyboard and mouse at his fingertips. He loved to draw as a kid and loved different classic automobiles. He had a passion for art and enjoyed museums and did some sketching and watercolor painting as well. He loved strumming the guitar, singing in choir, and playing the piano. To the end he was faithful in his prayers for family and friends around the world. If you wonder whether he had a story about you, the answer is probably yes as at gatherings he often share stories about the many friends he had made on his many adventures. His sense of humor was drier than the Saharan dessert. He had a sweet tooth and loved ice cream. We are grateful for the loving example of what it means to sacrifice for your wife, children, friends and family, and strangers in another land that soon became friends by sharing the love of our Heavenly Father. Touching so many lives thru prayers. Dad started out his Philosophy courses challenging students about the meaning of existence and in his discourses he earned the respect of many who opposed his views and considered them friends. So many times he would ponder and talked about what Heaven is like, now he knows. To honor his life work, may this be a challenge to you, as he would want, to ponder the meaning of your existence, to seek and you will find, to knock for the door will be opened to you. Dad has walked through that door as he put his faith in Christ. He longed to hear well done good and faithful servant. With sad hearts we say good bye, but with joy we celebrate a life of service to those he loved and to everyone he hoped to touch with the love of Christ. Survived by wife of 62 years, Donna; children, David (Holly), Daniel, Steven (Angie), Linda (Tony) Peterson and Glenn (Lorien) Stewart; 10 grandchildren; 1 great granddaughter; sister, Shirley Pauley; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents; Charles and Nellie and 8 siblings. Melville was a professor of Theology and Philosophy at Bethel University from 1972 to 1999. Funeral Service 11 AM Saturday, June 27th at GracePoint Church 2351 Rice Creek, New Brighton. Link to You tube page for Service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WW12MCofpo&feature=youtu.be

Tributes

Melville Y. Stewart, Ph.D., D.D.

June 19, 1935 - June 19, 2020

Tributes

Melville Y. Stewart, Ph.D., D.D.

June 19, 1935 - June 19, 2020

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