David G. Buttrick

David, our nation needs your witness now more than ever before. Thank you for guiding us to empathy, truth, and justice.

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.

David, your influence lives on in the lives of your friends, students, and many readers. Thanks for blessing us.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.