Rev. Dr. Robert A. Hand

Memorial services for Rev. Dr. Robert Aillet Hand, 44, of Tyler will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in Herd Worship Center at Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler with Dr. Marc Donaldson officiating under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Reception and visitation will follow the service from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Mr. Hand passed away Monday, May 19, 2025, in Tyler, Texas. He was born June 11, 1980, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Albert Moore Hand Jr. and Melanie Aillet Hand.
Robert was a member of Marvin Methodist Church and an Associate Pastor of Bullard Methodist Church. He loved the outdoors, fly fishing, mountain biking, and his wife and daughters. Robert was also a lifelong learner and professor. He received a PhD from Calvin College Theological Seminary in Philosophy, a MA from Regent College in Theological Studies, and a BA from Ouachita Baptist University in Biblical Studies, Language, and English. He held the position of ordained elder and deacon in the Global Methodist Church.
Robert Hand carried out his ministries at The Wesley House of Studies, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and LeTourneau University in the areas of biblical studies, theology, and philosophy. He was also the owner of the Dunbar Group, LLC, a publishing consultant company, and Bowen Press, an independent publisher of select nonfiction essays, poetry, and fiction. He was an acquisitions editor for Hendrickson Publishing and the author of Presupposing God: Theological Epistemology in Immanuel Kant's Transcendental Idealism and Karl Barth's Theological Method, published in the Princeton Theological Monograph Series. In addition, he was the co-founder and a financial advisor of Azalea Wealth Partners in Tyler, Texas.
Robert was an exceptional father and loved his family deeply. He was preceded in death by his brother Albert Moore Hand, III and grandparents Robert Ray Aillet, Dorthy Adams Aillet, Dr. Albert Moore Hand, Wanda Momon Hand, and Beverly King Hand. He is survived by his loving family including his wife, Michele Crain Hand; daughters Genevieve and Emerson; parents Albert Moore Hand, Jr. and Melanie Aillet Hand: brother Dr. Mark Hand, his wife Dr. Ashlyn Hand, and niece Vivian; sister Minette Hand; in laws Gary and Janet Crain, Mike and Laura Crain, niece Stella, and nephew Nicholas; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.
Pallbearers will be Dr. Mark Hand, Michael Crain, Gary Crain, Michael McDonald, Dr. Tanner Hays, Dr. Austin Lash, William Robins and Jacob Joiner. Honorary pallbearer will be Albert Moore Hand, Jr.
If desired, donations may be made to https://gofund.me/f53340e2