Studley, Virginia
HART, Philip Ray, 87, Professor Emeritus of Religion at the University of Richmond, died November 3, 2012 after a long illness. He was born in Dendron, Surry County, Virginia, the son of Edward Lee and Ocie West Hart. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Padgett Hart; son, John Philip Hart and wife, Dorothy Stanley Hart; son, Stephen Anson Hart and wife, Ann Burhans Hart; grandchildren, Anne Larimer Hart, Philip Edward Hart, William Anson Hart and Samuel McLain Hart; sister, Gene Hart Joyner; and brothers, Edward Glenn Hart and Julian Darold Hart. He was predeceased by his brother, Ralph West Hart. Dr. Hart was graduated from the University of Richmond, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Columbia University. He received a Ph.D. degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland after serving as a chaplain (Captain) in the United States Air Force. Dr. Hart was a professor at the University of Richmond starting in 1956, and he retired as Professor Emeritus after a teaching career of 35 years. Dr. Hart took particular interest in the foreign students attending the University of Richmond, and for many years, he was the University's foreign student advisor. Dr. Hart enjoyed foreign travel and had many rich experiences from living and studying abroad. He was a Recognised Scholar at Oxford University, Visiting Scholar at Harvard Divinity School and Visiting Professor at the University of Durham, England. For many years, Dr. Hart served churches throughout Virginia in preaching and interim pastor capacities. He was a member of River Road Church, Baptist. A Paul Harris Fellow and member of the West Richmond Rotary Club, he was also a member of the Jamestowne Society and the Sons of the American Revolution. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2012 in Hollywood Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Philip R. Hart Prize at the University of Richmond or to The Concert Series, River Road Church, Baptist.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
I have just read about Phil Hart's death and offer my regrets. He was ascholarly, pious, and affectionate teacher whom I enjoyed seeing at meetings as the years went by. He left his mark on my life, and I am grateful for having known and having studied with him.
Sincerely,
Pete Ford, Class of 1965
Pete Ford
November 23, 2012 | Danville, VA
Mrs. Hart, Dr. Hart led me to the Lord in a revival at Beulah Baptist Church, Aylett, Va March 11, 1952 at age 12. I had the pleasure of taking New Testament under him at U of R as a sophomore in 1960. He was a kind and gentle spirit who never forgot my name whenever I saw him after my graduation. My sincere condolences to you and your family as Heaven entertains a saint.
Shelton Rice
November 09, 2012 | Fort Mill, SC
To the Hart family,
Our earliest memories of a family pastor are of Phil Hart when your family served Berea Baptist as interim in the early 1960's. We are keeping you in our prayers as you celebrate his life, especially the fond memories we share of that trip-of-a-lifetime for our grandmother and the homegoing services he lead for our loved ones. God bless you. The Elbert Noel family--Elsie & Jane
November 07, 2012 | Rockville, VA
Phil, deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. You are in my prayers this week.
JoAnn Lane
November 07, 2012 | Mechanicsville, VA
Dear Hart Family,
Although I was a Spanish major, Dr. Hart and his classes were my favorites at UR. He was such a kind, intelligent, and thoughtful man who will be greatly missed, but will live on through his students.
With deepest sympathy,
Rebecca Wright Westhampton Class of '73
Rebecca Wright
November 06, 2012 | Richmond, VA
Jean, Philip. Steve, and family:
I have been blessed in my life with many great teachers, perhaps none as important to my own intellectual and spiritual growth as Dr. Hart. He was my undergraduate advisor, my mentor, and my friend. He taught me much about the Christian scriptures and even more about the joy and love of learning. He helped me to recognize that the integration of the intellect and the spirit was a moral responsibility we all share, and is essential to a life of meaning,...
Scott Hudgins
November 06, 2012 | Winston-Salem, NC
As we ended an All Saints' Sunday celebration at Grace Baptist, I received word that Phil Hart, one of God's truest and dearest saints had been welcomed into God's loving arms. With thanks for his fine scholarship, friendship, encouragement as a student and a minister, I grieve the loss of a wonderful man who took time for people. Thanks be to God, for this good and faithful servant.
Betty Pugh Mills
November 06, 2012
I am so grateful for his role in my academic and ministerial life. He was encourager, both at UR, and in my ministry after graduation. I will keep the family in my prayers. Blessings, Rock Higgins
Rock Higgins
November 06, 2012 | Richmond, VA
Mrs. Hart, Philip, Steve, and family,
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, father, grandfather and so on. Philip, you are my oldest friend and I have known your father through those many years. I 've known him as a very kind, caring, and gentle man. I feel privileged to have known him. I am sure you will all miss him very much, as well I'm sure will the numerous people throughout the world he has touched.
God bless you all! My thoughts and prayers are with you! Jimmy
Jim Mairs
November 06, 2012 | Richmond, VA
