Bernard Murchland

DELAWARE — Bernard Murchland passed away on June 24, 2025 at Willow Brook Christian Village at the age of 96. He lived a life of joy, authenticity, and unending intellectual curiosity. He was born on March 27, 1929 in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. His mother was Eileen Donovan, a schoolteacher, and his father was Gerald Murchland, a hotel chef.

His early education was in Canada with a BA from the University of Moncton, a degree in religious studies from the University of Montreal and a MA in comparative literature from the University of Montreal. His PhD was from the State University of New York.

He is survived by his daughters Suzanne (Edward) Luecke, Rebecca Murchland (Dave Lauer) and his grandchildren Andrew Lilly, Isabel, Freya, Max Lauer, Sarah Luecke Beck, and Henry Luecke.

In 1967 he joined the philosophy faculty of Ohio Wesleyan University. He was for many years chairman of the department. During his tenure he served on all major committees and taught a wide variety of courses including Medieval-Renaissance philosophy, American Thought, Business Ethics, Technology and Society, The Modern Tempter and the Philosophy of Art. His favorite course was a senior seminar in Existential Thought. He would tell his students that we all exist therefore we are all existentialists and let them take it from there. He was for several years a staff associate of the Kettering Foundation and the editor of the Civic Arts Review.

Among his honors was election to the honorary Phi Beta Kappa, a distinguished scholar award from the Ohio Philosophical Association, a Certificate for Excellence in the Teaching of Philosophy from the American Philosophical Association. The Ohio Wesleyan Welch Meritorious Teaching Award and in 2013 he was given a lifetime achievement award by the government of his native province, citing his work for having "enriched our understanding of democracy, citizenship and liberal education." Among his published books are: Choice of Action: The French Intellectuals on the Political Frontline, Higher Education and the Practice of Democratic Politics, The Age of Alienation, The New Iconoclasm, Voices of Democracy, The Arrow That Flies By Day: Existential Images of the Human Condition from Socrates to Hannah Arendt and a retrospective of his writings entitled Becoming a Philosopher: Selected Essays and Reviews from 1960 to 20l5.

He experienced delight in his family, friends, the many students he had the privilege of teaching and learning from, the philosophers and thinkers he so admired, the beauty of nature, and the mysteries and wonder of life itself.

One of Bernard's favorite quotes is from Marcus Aurelius. "Philosophy is what pulls the strings of our lives."

At his request there will be no visitation or funeral. Contributions in his memory can be made to Ohio Wesleyan University and/or Willow Brook Christian Village.

Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.robinsonfuneralhomeinc.com.

The Robinson Funeral Home in Delaware is assisting the family with arrangements.