Sorry to learn about Bob's death. He was a co-founder with me for GOAL Project. We took many mission trips together - especially to Romania.

May Bob rest in peace. It was a great honor and joy to have him as professor and spiritual director at Sewanee in the late ‘80’s. He was always interesting, challenging and enthusiastic. I’ve thought of him hundreds of times over the past 35 years. Many of his core teachings have helped guide me in various ministries in the decades since then. The memory of his distinctive voice providing an astonishing harmony fondly remains. 
Thank you Bob! May the Lord, the lover of your soul, welcome you with “well done thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your father’s kingdom!”
Jim Anderson 
School of Theology, ‘89

I was blessed to have this wonderful teacher during my three years at Sewanee School of Theology. His memory will live on with the students whose lives he touched with wisdom and godly humor.

I sang with Bob in  the Junior and Cadet choirs at St. Paul's in Oakwood when we were in junior high and high school.  He was the only tenor and I was a low alto so we sang tenor together quite often.. I sang with his parents Bob and Nancy in the Senior Choir at St Paul's for many years.  I  lost touch with Bob many years ago, when we both went on with our lives. but I remember him, his brother Jim and his parents with great fondness.  My condolences to his family.

Dear Barbara,
I'm grieved at Bob's death but trust that he is with the Jesus whom he studied, served, and loved, by the power of the Holy Spirit (his great book on the Spirit is on my special 20th C. Theology shelf).  He was a wonderful colleague in every way.  He could work with difficult colleagues with unique grace, clearly he taught like an angel, he was a crucial advisor to me as I navigated the ways of Sewanee as an outsider, and he was a lot of fun.  I thank God for him and for the ministry you shared with him and your own unique apostolate.  What a couple!  God strengthen you in the days to come, and give you peace.
Bless you,
Bill Stafford

I have very fond memories of Bob (and Barbara!) from seminary. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed. May light perpetual shine upon him. Praying for you all as you navigate your grief.

Bob was one of my finest professors at St Luke’s. He was a great support and confidant. Barbara sculpted Jacob’s wrestling match with God as my ordination gift. . I have traveled the world living in 5 countries. The sculpture has always been with me. Thank you B. I thank God for the theological foundation Bob gifted me. It surely helped Me pursue my doctorate using lonigarian methodology. 

The Rev. Dr. Richard E. Donohoe, STD
Birmingham, Alabama.

Bob was a fabulous teacher and friend.  He taught our class ('80) the best lesson that I literally used every day and still do: 
(he always began the same way on one of his asides) "Gentlemen and ladies ... the issue you will be facing is not that there is no meaning but that it will not be meaningful."  I shared that some years later with Rabbi Edwin Friedman, who paused and asked "who said that ?" I replied, " my theology professor Bob Hughes."  He jotted notes for a minute and then said "that is what it is all about."  He taught us to make theology and work personal and so much more.  
Prayers for Barbara and the family.  I still remember his hilarious and wonderful laugh. He blessed us all.

Dearest Barbara,

I don't know if you picked up on Bob's  phone a message checking up on you two the day before Kemper Anderson sent me the obituary from Sewanne.  I sent word to all of your MTC colleagues and received  loving replies from Lynne Clarke, Jo Rogers, Joshua Rutere, Moses Matonya, Hilda Kabia, Daudi Chilemu  (and I know I am leaving someone out.)  Bob was one tough cookie, fighting all those years with one lung, arthritis and then Parkinson's.  He was very special to me--you also--in your love and care for Africa and coming with health issues not easily taken care of in TZ.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory!  Sandy McCann

My wonderful professor, honors thesis advisor, mentor, and friend, has "Been promoted to Glory!"  
Even though I did not get to see him and wonderful Barbara since my Sewanee days, this beautiful couple marked our lives in the most positive ways.  Iain and I give thanks to God for the gift that they have been in our lives.
May he rest in peace, and light perpetual shine upon him.  May the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with all the family, Always!
                                                     Much love,
                                The Reverend Canon Luchy Littlejohn and 
                                 Mr.  Iain Littlejohn -- San Antonio, Texas

So very sorry to hear about the passing of Bob Hughes. He was a great professor and friend during my time at Sewanee  and I speak for my classmates when I say he was one of the best. Blessings and love to you, Barbara,  and your family at this sad and solemn time. 
—Natalie (Ward) Brock

Bob artfully helped so many of us Middlers get our theological acts together, but he (and Barbara) also really went out of their way to make us and our families feel at home in, for some of us, a strange land.
Being asked to help him translate a particularly turgid theological treatise from the German that figured strongly in his scholarly work is a memory that I will always treasure.
I still have a recording (somewhere) of the sermon Bob graciously preached at my ordination.
I am grateful to have known him and learned so much from him.

I learned so very much from you. You made theology fun!  “To learn and never grow tired is Wisdom; to teach and never grow tired is Love. “ Thanks for the love, great “teacher”! I will always remember that you taught us: the first “sacrament” is the Church—without it, there are no sacraments. With Deepest Condolences & Faithfully yours, The Rev Dr Lin Hutton+

Prayers for peace for the Hughes family.    I arrived at The School of Theology, Sewanee, in the Fall of 1977 just as Professor Hughes was arriving.   I enjoyed him so much in small groups and in class.  I was privileged to have Dr. Hughes preach my ordination to the priesthood in 1980.   May he rest in peace.

A favorite professor, 1983-86.  Blessings for the journey, Bob!

Dear Barbara and Family,

Robert and I were sad to hear of Bob’s death. He was a great mentor and advisor during my time at Sewanee. I enjoyed the intellectual banter with him that sharpened my own critical thinking skills and was blessed by his friendship.  He will be missed, and I will cherish my memories of him.

Anne Harvey

Dear Barbara, family, and friends,

I am saddened to hear if the death of Bob. I have so many memories of our time together in Oak Park. 

May his memory be a blessing!

Shawn Schreiner
Former Rector of Grace Oak Park

OBITUARY

Robert Davis Hughes

February 16, 1943 – October 20, 2024

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