1918-2008

John Dillenberger, a giant in the life and history of the Graduate Theological Union, peacefully passed away on February 7 at his home in El Cerrito, Calif. In addition to his distinguished career as a scholar of historical theology, Dillenberger was instrumental in founding and leading the GTU, serving as Dean and President from 1967-1971, and later as Acting Library Director, Acting President (1999-2000), and GTU Board member.

Dillenberger also was a past president of the Hartford Seminary, a professor at Princeton, Columbia, Harvard, and Drew universities, and a student of Paul Tillich and Reinhold Niebuhr, who became his guides and mentors at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He authored 13 books, including “Martin Luther: Selections from his Writings”; “Visual Arts and Christianity in America”; and “From Fallow Fields to Hallowed Halls: A Theologian’s Journey,” his autobiography published in 2004. “All of us who knew John,” GTU President James A. Donahue says, “were inspired by his enthusiasm for and commitment to the life of the GTU. His determined spirit and visionary leadership will be sorely missed.”