Rev. R. Taylor Scott IV

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Rev. Dr. R. Taylor Scott, 74, died on May 5 at his home at Palm Coast, Florida. He served as Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Francis Marion University from 1986-2001 and was also Vicar of Christ Church in Florence. Dr. Fred Carter, President of Francis Marion University said: Taylor was a vibrant member of the Francis Marion University faculty for a decade and a half. Students loved his courses, and this faculty loved him. The University deeply mourns his death.

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Scott received his bachelors degree from the University of Virginia in 1953, where he played defensive end on the universitys football team. He received the B.D. degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1956 and was ordained in the same year by the Bishop of Virginia. He then served for two years as Chaplain and Master of Sacred Studies at St. Christophers School in Richmond. In 1958 he became Assistant to the Rector at Christ Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC, and in 1961 he became Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC. In 1964, he began graduate studies at Duke University where he earned the Th. M. (Magna Cum Laude) in1965, and the Ph.D. in religious studies in 1971. During these years Father Scott served in various ecclesiastical positions, including Vicar, St. Johns, Wake Forest, NC, St. Johns, Henderson, NC, St. Johns, Townsville, NC, and Chaplain, NC State University, 1966-70

In 1971, Dr. Scott joined the Department of Religion at the University of Florida. As a member of the Department of Religion he was widely acclaimed as an outstanding teacher In 1975 he was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UF. In 1980, Bishop Tom Fraser persuaded Dr. Scott to leave UF in order to found the Center for Continuing Education for the Diocese of North Carolina in Raleigh. During that time Dr. Scott also served as Visiting Instructor of Religion at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and served as the Episcopal Chaplain at Duke. In 1984, Dr. Scott became the inaugural Director of Academic Affairs at the College of Preachers at the Washington National Cathedral. In 1986, Dr. Scott joined the faculty at Francis Marion University. During his tenure at FMU, Dr. Scott was twice a Fellow of the National Endowment of Humanities and at his retirement he was named Professor Emeritus.

Upon retirement, Dr. Scott moved to Palm Coast Florida. After arriving in Florida, he served in interim clerical positions at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville (2001-2002) and the Chapel of the Incarnation, Gainesville (2002-2003). Later he served as Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Stetson University (2003 and 2005) and Adjunct Professor of Religion at the University of Florida (2004).

Longtime friend and former FMU colleague, Dr. Ronald L. Hall (now of Stetson University) said: While Aristotle was right to say that a life without friends is impoverished, I think his point would have been more powerfully expressed had he said that a life with good friends is enriched beyond measure. Taylor was such a friend to me. How I will miss him.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Church in Florence on Sunday, May 14, at 4 PM.

Dr. Scott is survived by his wife Carol Enge Scott; his son Dr. Robert Taylor Scott of Williamston, Michigan; his daughter, Mary Carter Scott of New York City; his sister Mary Blair Scott Valentine of Richmond, Virginia; his stepson David Goldman of Jacksonville, Florida; his stepdaughter Holli Goldman Berry of Windemere, Florida; his grandchildren Robinson Timothy Scott, Alexandra Eden Scott, and Christian Kelly Scott of Williamston, Michigan; his step-grandchildren Garrett Wright Goldman and Dawson Michael Goldman of Jacksonville; and his step granddaughter Mora Lilli Berry of Windemere.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts are sent to the Francis Marion University Foundation, designated to the Taylor Scott Scholarship Fund, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC 29501.