Jack FORSTMAN

FORSTMAN JackDean Emeritus of Vanderbilt Divinity School, beloved colleague, professor, mentor, advocate and friend, passed away on June 17, 2012. The Rev. Dr. Forstman lived in Birmingham, AL; earned degrees at Phillips University and Union Theological Seminary in NY; led congregations in Huntsville, AL, New York City, the Bronx, and Greenwich, CT; and taught at Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA, Stanford University in CA, and Vanderbilt University Divinity School where he was Dean for 11 years. Following retirement, he taught at Brite Divinity School and served one term on Brite's Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Commission on Theology of the Council on Christian Unity from 1958-2000, serving as chair for 25 years; Denominational Liaison to the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches from 1978-1989; and participant in the International Commission for Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) from 1980-2000. He was passionate about Jewish-Christian relations and was a founding member of Nashville's "Group of One." Survived by his wife of 63 years, Shirley; children, David, Valerie and Paul; daughter-in-law, Conni; partners, Angela Carnahan and Scott Thornton; grandchildren, Gabriel, Nathalie, Isabel, Jackson and Ryan; and 8 great-grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 20th at Vine Street Christian Church, 4101 Harding Rd. Reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vine Street Christian Church or to the Jack and Shirley Forstman Scholarship Fund at Vanderbilt Divinity School. NASHVILLE FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICE, (615) 256-1605.