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David Buttrick Obituary
Nashville, TN
David G. Buttrick was born in New York City. He was the youngest son of Rev. George A. Buttrick, a pastor committed to community outreach, and his wife, Agnes Gardner.
David attended Haverford College and then pursued graduate study at Union Theological Seminary, Garrett Biblical Institute and Northwestern University.
Called to ministry at First Presbyterian in Fredonia, New York, he helped design a new space of worship for a congregation that had grown during his service from 35 to almost 700 members.
David taught on the faculties of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, St. Meinrad School of Theology, and Vanderbilt Divinity School, where he served for almost 20 years as the Drucilla Moore Buffington Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics. Offering warmth, humor, acceptance, and lively discussion, David and his wife Betty welcomed students and those in need into their home as family.
A prolific author, David wrote 19 books, including his landmark work Homiletics, and innumerous chapters in books and articles. He also spoke at colleges and churches across North America and Europe. David became a proud member of the United Church of Christ, citing its policies of inclusion and diversity.
On April 22, 2017, David "side-stepped into the mystery of God." He was preceded in death by: his brothers John and Robert; his wife of 64 years, Betty More Allaben Buttrick; and his daughter, Anne Crumpler. He is survived by: his son-in-law David Crumpler; grandchildren Benjamin Crumpler, Rachel Crumpler, and her husband Jason Ostenson; and his niece Betty Ives Adams and her husband Stephen Adams.
A service will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 12 noon at Benton Chapel at the Vanderbilt Divinity School. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to contribute to Church World Service, North Shore Animal League, Vanderbilt Divinity School, or Brookmeade Congregational Church.
www.cremationsocietyoftn.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Buttrick
Sponsored by Cremation Society of Tennessee.
Sandy Wylie
April 20, 2025
David, our nation needs your witness now more than ever before. Thank you for guiding us to empathy, truth, and justice.
Sandy Wylie
April 20, 2024
David, we all remember your witness for inclusion, an ethic that is sadly in short supply among many Christians in our world today. You envisioned a Kingdom of God that´s portrayed in that last scene of Places in the Heart (1984 movie)-a kingdom in which God´s love is invincible. May your witness continue to broaden our vision and steady our feet.
Sandy Wylie
April 20, 2023
David, your influence lives on in the lives of your friends, students, and many readers. Thanks for blessing us.
Paul F Smith
April 22, 2022
Dave , You and Betty lived down the street from us in East Liberty. You and my father, Dr Elwyn A Smith were friends. I was just a kid . I was friends with Anne . If I remember Betty smoked Lucky Strikes. Dave , I was a teenager running away from school and home and somehow you came to my rescue and let me stay with your family a few weeks . You were always so thoughtful and kind. I will always remember and cherish you and your family. You , Betty and Anne I´m sure are in heaven. Please say Hi to my parents for me . God bless you, Love , Paul Smith
Sandy Wylie
April 20, 2022
David, we miss your witness more than ever. Thank you for your spoken and written words that continue to light our paths and give us courage.
Sandy Wylie
April 20, 2021
David, one of my favorite funeral prayers sees the departed one as increasing in knowledge and love of God beyond the grave and going from strength to strength in service. May it be so with you, my friend.
Sandy Wylie
April 20, 2020
David was on the right side of the big issues of our day and was passionate about his convictions. As our world in recent years has devolved into smallness, prejudice, and tribalism, we sorely miss Davids expansive vision. His concern for the last, the least, and the lost will forever point us back to the world that God intends for us. The power of Davids friendship steadies is in these trying days. Rest In Peace, dear friend.
Philip Creider
May 23, 2018
Dr. Buttrick taught me homiletics when I was at St. Meinrad School of Theology. He was one of the finest professors I had in all the seminaries I attended. I was also invited into his home, a joy for me, then and now. I have continued to grow in his homiletical methods. I served as a Chaplain in the Navy and Marine Corps fo 20 years. I continued to sharpen my homiletic skills there, continuing to use, more completely, his insights and methods. I am back to civilian life now, helping out in various parishes. I continue to use his ways, and see him standing behind me, keeping me on the right path. Sailors and Marines, and now civilian parishioners tell me that they can understand what I am saying. I owe my start and continued homiletic guidelines to Dr. Buttrick.
Paul Smith
April 24, 2018
Thank you Dave for being a friend in my youth.You helped me when I needed help and I will never forget it. My father and I had the pleasure of visiting you in Tennessee, I forget the year. You are a good man and I'm quite sure you have been received in heaven with smiles and hugs. Hopefully we will meet again someday. Best wishes, Love Paul F Smith...St Petersburg, Fl.
August 4, 2017
I was one of David's first homiletics students at
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. I shall never forget his passion and his commitment to preaching and to God whom he faithfully served.
Charles Thompson, Morristown, NJ
Lynn Willis
July 14, 2017
Bill and I will surely miss you, old friend.
Randy Frost
May 28, 2017
David was a wonderful friend, supportive colleague, and trusted mentor. A gift of God to all he touched.
Jeff Kisner
May 2, 2017
Through his writing, David had a profound impact on my life and preaching. Thanks be to God for the testimony of DGB.
Julie Ives Moberg
April 30, 2017
Our years with Uncle Dave were a precious gift. His writings and stories by and about him will keep him alive in our hearts. What an amazing man!
Ann Buttrick
April 29, 2017
David G. Buttrick fought discrimination of every sort his whole life. He will be greatly missed, but his works live on. And his great sense of humour lifted life for all of us.
April 27, 2017
Great person and great teacher God bless
Bruce Levine
Honora Werner, OP
April 27, 2017
Good and faithful servant of the Word of God, may you rest in peace. We in the guild remain in your debt!
Anthony Ishaya
April 27, 2017
"Prof Buttrick, thanks for being an obedient Pastoral and Theological Sign Post. Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
Sandy Wylie
April 26, 2017
Rest In Peace, dear friend.
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