Robert G. Mickey

Robert George Mickey, 95, passed away on June 9, 2013 at Homestead Village in Lancaster. His beloved wife of 70 years, Ann, predeceased him at the end of January. Bob was born on May 24, 1918 in Pagosa Springs, located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado. He was the oldest of four children born to Max and Helen Crews Mickey. It is a stretch to picture Bob riding horseback with the sheepherders and his young friends, but an easy task to picture him working hard in the mercantile store his father managed, or devouring books and his schoolwork. Bob graduated from the University of Denver in 1939 with a major in International Relations. In 1942, he earned his Bachelors of Divinity at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley and was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Church. He met and fell in love with Ann Welch while he was a Student Associate at her church in Oakland. After Ann graduated with an Economics degree from UCal Berkeley, they were married. They departed by train to New Haven, CT where Bob was enrolled at the Yale Divinity School. While a student from 1942 to 1946, Bob accepted an interim position as Minister in Charge of the Mystic, CT Congregational Church. These were busy and happy years for the young couple. In 1946, they left for New York, Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University. Bob’s first teaching post was at Colgate University. Ann and Bob came to Lancaster in 1950. Bob initially taught half a course load in the Dept. of Religion, serving also as campus minister responsible for Chapel, the student Y and the pre-theological students. Ministerial standing was granted by the Evangelical and Reformed Church. In the mid 1950’s Bob taught full time in the classroom and rose in ranks to Professor of Religious Studies, retiring in 1985. Living on Lemon Street, near F&M and St. Peter’s UCC, Ann and Bob’s active household welcomed friends, colleagues and students. In 1952 they welcomed their daughter Sarah and in 1954, their son David. Bob and Ann were lifelong doting parents! Birthdays, holidays, graduations and get-togethers throughout each year kept Granddaddy and Nana extra happy people. Ann and Bob traveled after their retirement, to England and Wales (family history) to the Pacific Northwest, New England and the South. They visited Israel and Palestine and celebrated their 50th anniversary with a 2-week family trip to New Mexico and Colorado. Bob is survived by his sister Mary Davis and sister-in-law Elaine Mickey; daughter Sarah Moore (Glenn); daughter-in-law Maria Mickey; grandsons Greg Moore (Melanie), Alan Moore (Kristin) and Kale Millisock; nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his brothers Joe and Ray, his son David and his wife Ann. Bob Mickey was a remarkable gentleman. He was a scholar, teacher and communicator. He was a caring friend, a loving husband and father. He pursued an ever expanding view of the “world” and his role within it. As a dear colleague described him, “He remained until the end intellectually and socially engaged, following the enormous changes in his nearly century old existence with openness and curiosity.” That is well said! Bob’s family gathered privately to remember his extraordinary life. Please share your personal memories and comments. Memorials in his name may be directed to Franklin and Marshall College.

Robert G. Mickey

June 21, 2013