Allen D. Verhey

1945 - 2014

Allen D. Verhey, 68, of Durham, NC, died at home Wednesday, February 26, 2014, after a long struggle with Amyloidosis.

Allen is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Phyllis (DeKruyter) Verhey; his three loving children, Timothy Beach-Verhey of Faison, NC, Elisabeth "Betsy" Verhey of Davidson, NC, and Kathryn Davis and husband, Craig, of Holland; five adored grandchildren, Ryan, Caroline and Janie Beach-Verhey, and Jack and Meghan Davis; and his brothers, Ron Verhey of Grand Rapids and Roger Verhey of Ann Arbor. He was predeceased by his brother, Carl Verhey.

Allen was born in Grand Rapids on May 14, 1945, to the late Richard and Catherine Verhey. He attended Grand Rapids Christian schools, graduating in 1962. After high school, he received his B.A. from Calvin College in 1966, his B.Div. from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1969, and his Ph.D. in Theological Ethics from Yale Divinity School in 1975. He taught for over 30 years in the Religion Department at Hope College before finishing his career as the Robert Earl Cushman Professor of Christian Theology, at Duke Divinity School.

Allen loved being a teacher and a scholar, continuing to teach until six weeks before he died and still working on writing projects until the very end. He wrote or co-authored several books, contributed essays to numerous books and journals, and lectured all over the country and around the world. Among his students and colleagues, he was known for his humility, generosity, and kindness. He was not only a gifted theologian but a faithful Christian, who did not simply write about Christianity but practiced it. This was evident in the way he taught, thought, wrote, and spoke.

In addition to reading books, writing books, and talking about books, Allen also loved Detroit Tigers baseball, Duke basketball, puttering in the yard and playing with his grandchildren. There is nothing he enjoyed more than a good game of wiffle ball on the beach or in the backyard with his family, continuing to participate as all-time pitcher when he could no longer field or run the bases. Allen loved his family and his family loved him. His grandchildren called him different things-some named him "Papa Duke" and others "Pop-Pop Scratchy"-but they all loved him dearly and knew that he loved them.

Allen's family is thankful for his life and mourns his passing but takes comfort in the words of the first question and answer of The Heidelberg Catechism which meant so much to him throughout his life. Q: "What is your only hope in life and in death?" A: "That I am not my own, but belong-body and soul in life and in death-to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ."

Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Monday in Duke University Chapel. Private cremation will follow. A visitation and vigil service will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday in First Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Allen's memory may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 305 E. Main St., Durham, NC 27701, or Duke Divinity School, Box 90968, Durham, NC 27708 or divinity.duke.edu. Arrangements under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service & Crematory. On-line memorials: hallwynne.com.