Brian Albert Gerrish

1931 - 2025

Brian Albert Gerrish

August 14, 1931 - April 14, 2025

Brian Albert Gerrish, Professor of Theology and Presbyterian minister, died on April 14, 2025 at the age of 93. Born in London, he was baptized in the Church of England, and his childhood was marked by wartime evacuations and the London Blitz. After attending Queens' College Cambridge, he entered Westminster College Cambridge, the seminary of the Presbyterian Church in England. While earning a Master of Sacred Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York and a PhD in philosophy of religion from Columbia University, he became ordained in the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. His teaching career began at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he taught for eight years. In 1965 he joined the faculty of the Divinity School of the University of Chicago, and in 1985 was named John Nuveen Professor. When he retired from the Divinity School after 31 years, he continued teaching at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia as Distinguished Service Professor. During these years he published 15 books, preached and lectured widely, and served in various church roles. Many of his almost 50 dissertation advisees published books in historical theology. At the same time, they were grateful for his guidance in their careers, and for the ways he cared for them when they were in distress. Colleagues and students alike appreciated his sly, erudite humor and his mischievous wit, in his writing, lectures, and conversation. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Dawn DeVries, two children from his first marriage-Carolyn Gerrish (husband Tim Starn, and son Michael Starn and his wife Ally) and Paul Gerrish (partner Laura Dillman), and daughter Heather Gerrish (husband Jason Chavez and son Henry Chavez)."

A memorial service will be held on May 24, 2025 at 1 pm at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Avenue, Richmond Virginia 23227