Name: Calling hours for Rev. William R. Marlow
Start: 2019-01-30T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-01-31T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Connors Memorial Funeral Home - Portsmouth

Rev. Mr. William R. Marlow
Rev. Mr. William Marlow, 92, of Middletown, RI, formerly of Lewisburg, PA, passed away on January 27, 2019 at Miriam Hospital in Providence.
William was born in Baltimore, MD to Harper Marlow and Lillian (Taylor) Marlow and was the youngest and last surviving of their five children. For the past 67 years, he was devoted husband to Mary Elizabeth "Betty" (Strom) Marlow.
Bill was raised in Baltimore and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps during WWII. Peace was signed before he was deployed, and he returned to school. He graduated in 1949 from Albright College in Reading, PA and then taught English in India with Betty for three years.
He received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Yale University in 1955, then served as a Methodist minister in Carlisle, PA before joining Albright College in 1959. He served as chaplain for ten years (during which he invited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to speak at the college) before joining the religion department where he taught until 1992 specializing in comparative religion.
An advocate for social justice throughout his life, he served on the Berks Human Relations Commission, volunteered at Reading Hospital, and worked with the Berks AIDS Health Crisis assisting AIDS patients during the 1980s.
An avid traveler, he led many student trips around the world, including Israel, China, and Thailand. In retirement, he and Betty moved to Lewisburg, PA, where he enjoyed water volleyball and woodworking with his friends at the Riverwoods senior living community.
William is survived by his wife Betty Marlow of Middletown, and three children, Karen McDaid of Portsmouth, RI (John McDaid), Scott Marlow of Chapel Hill, NC (Jennifer Bauer), and Lynn Marlow of Asheville, NC (Ronna Davis). He also leaves four grandchildren, Liam Lewis-Marlow, Kaya Lewis-Marlow, Elise Plyler-White, and Jack McDaid.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday, January, 30 2019 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.
Memorial donations may be made to the Albright College William R. Marlow Scholarship for International Students, Attn: Development Office 13th & Bern Street, P.O. Box 15234, Reading, PA 19612. Online donations can be made by calling the Development Office at 1-877-427-9756.
A memorial service will be held at Albright College in Reading, PA at a date to be determined.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Newport Daily News from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for William Marlow

Sponsored by Connors Memorial Funeral Home - Portsmouth.

11 Entries

Candi (Swart)Braithwaite

June 7, 2019

Rev. Marlowe was Chaplain at Albright when I attended 1969-1972. I got married after my junior year and returned to graduate with my class in 1973. Rev. Marlowe was a kind, empathetic and very wise counselor. It was an honor to know him.

Agnes Steffy

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019
To Betty and family,
Just got this sad news from Sara, who kindly has kept me in touch with the Marlow news since your move to New England.
Betty, I think you know what Bill meant to me and my generation at Albright. I have never known a more helpful, gracious and willing leader than Bill. At the end of my Sophomore year, I heard Miss Benninger sharing the news that Bill would be coming as Chaplain in the fall. He came and joined our Y Retreat, and got to know the cabinet.
For my senior year, I was co-president of the Y, with Bill as our adviser. Thus, I was privileged to work closely with him on Y activities and the retreats. I also served with Bill on the planning committee for the dedication of the new Chapel.
It was natural that Richard and I would want Bill to marry us on June 30, 1962, and were thrilled that you could come then, and again for our 40th anniversary down at the country church in York County, surprising us with your presence.
Betty, you welcomed students into your home when you were so busy with young children. We always knew the bond between Bill and Betty, which was another way in which you were roll models.
This time of loss and grief is also a time for rejoicing for good memories and thanksgiving for the learning received from a great leader, teacher, and Christian pastor to students.
Agnes Oaks Steffy (class of '61)

Lynn Wentzel

February 27, 2019

Rev Marlow was a wonderful man who defended me to his own colleague when I was wrongly accused of theft. Without hesitation, he mediated the dispute, found the culprit and had me resolved of all involvement. I will forever be in debt to him for his compassion and his strength.

Karen Campbell

February 3, 2019

Bill was such a great role model for me when I first arrived at Albright. Wonderful teacher, engaged with the students and the entire college community. We continued our conversations after he retired, mostly while transporting groundhogs captured in his yard to a new setting at Blue Marsh! I still think of him often, and keep his example of compassionate, quiet leadership close to my heart. Thank you Betty and your family for sharing him with us.

Martha Carlough

February 2, 2019

So grateful for the wisdom and generosity of Bill Marlow during my years at Albright. He had a remarkable ability to be fully present as he taught, listened, and nurtured. I hope his family will take comfort in memories and knowing what a great husband, father and grandfather he was!

Harriet Stein

January 31, 2019

How grateful I am to have had Dr. Marlow as a teacher! He taught me very early on in life that things were never black or white...more like gray. One of the kindest and smartest men I've ever met. My condolences to his family and friends.

David Martin

January 30, 2019

Although modesty would cause him to differ, he was a great man who improved the lives of the multitudes he touched. Thank you to Betty and the children for sharing him with us.

David Eversdyke

January 30, 2019

Bill Marlowe will always be a special man to me. He was very instrumental in my call to ordained ministry, and a guiding hand in applying to seminary. Blessings to his family!

Nancy Parr

January 30, 2019

Dear, dear Betty,
I wish you were here to give you a hug. My love to you and to your family. Bill was a person who made a difference in this world.
With Love,
Nancy Parr

Joanne Semanchick

January 30, 2019

Dear Betty & family,
Thinking of all the wonderful times we shared with the two of you at Ridgecrest. Playing water volleyball, singing, telling stories and jokes. He was one of the finest men we ever had the privilege of knowing and being friends with. I know that Bill's guardian angel bent down, kissed him on his cheek, gently pick him up and carried him home to his Father in heaven. God blessings to the Marlow Family.
Joanne & Gene Semanchick

Barbara Fahy

January 29, 2019

Bill was one of the most memorable colleagues from Albright College that I had the pleasure of knowing. He was compassionate, caring and, oh my! What a teacher he was. I also considered him a friend. He was so supportive when I first came to the college way back in 1964. He was outstanding in all ways. I am so sorry, Betty. I know you and your family will miss him greatly and then so will be the rest of us who knew him.

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