Russell Earle Richey *70

Russell died Jan. 19, 2025, in Durham, N.C., after an extended illness.

Born Oct. 19, 1941, in Asheville, N.C., he earned a B.A. from Wesleyan in 1963 and participated in Operation Crossroads Africa in Ghana. He earned an M.Div. degree from Union Theological Seminary in 1966, and his Ph.D. in religion from Princeton in 1970.

Russell chose an academic career rather than the pastoral ministry. He joined the faculty of both the theological and the graduate schools at Drew University, where he spent several years as assistant to the president, serving as the university’s affirmative action officer among other duties.

He moved to Duke Divinity School as associate dean for academic programs, as research professor, and then professor of church history. From 2000-06 he served as dean and later as professor of church history at Candler School of Theology at Emory, retiring in 2011 as William R. Cannon Distinguished Professor of Church History Emeritus.

Returning to Duke Divinity School, Russell offered a seminar or directed study in American Methodism as visiting faculty and fellow of the Center for Studies in the Wesleyan Tradition.

He is survived by his wife, Merle; children William and Elizabeth; and four grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.