Wayne Boulton, last president of PSCE before federation with Union, dies
RICHMOND, Va. (February 4, 2019) – The Rev. Dr. Wayne G. Boulton, president of PSCE from 1992-1997, died at the age of 77 on February 1, 2019.
He was a devoted and beloved husband, father, teacher, and friend, always putting others at ease with warmth and good humor. He loved the fierce, wide-open landscapes of Scotland and Montana; walking and hiking in solitude; swimming the sparkling lakes of New Hampshire; studying Scripture; preaching with dynamism; playing basketball, ping-pong, and drums; singing in harmony; experiencing life in other countries; and discussing just about anything, from theology to politics. He had an easy laugh, a twinkle in his eye, and a deep passion for justice, kindness, and humility.
Born in Gaffney, South Carolina, and raised in Ardsley, New York, he graduated from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and then attended two schools in Chicago, Illinois: Northwestern University Business School and McCormick Theological Seminary, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He later received a Doctor of Philosophy from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, writing his dissertation on the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.
In the spring of 1966, Boulton married Vicki Marcia Rubin, having earlier caught her eye – and she, his – when his college choir performed at her high school. As just the first of their many adventures to come, they worked in Bangkok, Thailand from 1967-69 as part of the Frontier Intern Program of the Presbyterian Church, building bridges between United Nations agencies and the Church of Christ in Thailand, a Presbyterian partner.
Dr. Boulton taught for 20 years in the religion department at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, specializing in Christian ethics. During his service at Hope, he received the school’s H.O.P.E. award (Hope’s Outstanding Professor-Educator) and served terms as religion department chair and faculty representative on the Board of Trustees. In 1979 he was visiting professor at the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland, beginning his lifelong love for that part of the world.
From 1992-97, he served as president of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, now part of Union Presbyterian Seminary. He went on to serve as pastor at several congregations in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Church of Christ, including First Presbyterian Church, Annapolis, Maryland; Roland Park Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland; New Vernon Presbyterian Church, New Vernon, New Jersey; First Church in Charlestown (UCC), Boston, Massachusetts; and Hingham Congregational Church (UCC), Hingham, Massachusetts. His final years of ministry were at St. Timothy’s Memorial Chapel in Georgetown Lake, Montana.
The author of several articles and two books: “Is Legalism a Heresy? The Legacy of the Pharisees in Christian Ethics” and “Out of Step: The Family, American Society, and the Christian Gospel,” Dr. Boulton is also co-editor of “From Christ to the World: Introductory Readings in Christian Ethics.” For the last several years, he has been at work on a book focusing on the Christian doctrine of election.
In recognition of his service as teacher, pastor, and leader in theological education, Boulton was honored with the 2013 McCormick Theological Seminary’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Dr. Boulton is survived by his wife of 52 years, Vicki; by his sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Elizabeth Myer Boulton of Keene, New Hampshire, and Christopher and Libby Boulton of Tampa, Florida; by his four grandchildren, Jonah, Maggie, Hendrik, and Charlotte; and by his cousin and cousin-in-law, the Rev. Dr. James and Carol Richardson of Boiling Springs, North Carolina.
A Memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian, Indianapolis, on Monday, March 18, 2019, with a Calling at 1:00 p.m.; the memorial service at 2:00 p.m.; and a reception with time for remembrances following the service. A graveside service will be held at New Vernon Presbyterian Church in New Vernon, New Jersey, on a date and time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent in Wayne Boulton’s honor to Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46260; or to Presbyterian Church of New Vernon, 2 Lees Hill Rd, New Vernon, 07920; or to St. Timothy’s Memorial Chapel, Georgetown Lake, Montana, or to St. Vincent Hospice, 8450 N. Payne Road, Suite 100, Indianapolis, 46268.
