Memorials -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 47:1 (Mar 2004)
Article: Memorials
Author: Anonymous


Memorials

Byron Bitar

Byron Ivan Bitar, born August 30, 1947 in Seattle, WA, was the third of five children born to Dr. Emmanuel Bitar, a pathologist, and his wife Margaret. When Byron was four years old, his parents attended an evangelistic crusade and trusted Christ for salvation. Byron was saved two years later at age six.

Byron met his future wife Gail in the eighth grade in Everett, WA. After college, they were married on December 27, 1969, in Everett. Byron had graduated with a B.A. in philosophy from Pacific Lutheran University, while Gail’s degree was in education. They moved to Philadelphia where Byron completed his M. Div. degree at Westminster Theological Seminary in 1972. They then spent a year working in Seattle before taking up residence in Charlottesville, VA. There Byron completed his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees, both in philosophy, in 1975 and 1977 respectively.

The Bitars then moved to Beaver Falls, PA where Byron began teaching at Geneva College. He was “the philosophy department.” He loved teaching and studying philosophy, developing and teaching all such courses at Geneva College. In 1992–93, Byron received the “Excellence in Teaching” award at Geneva College. Besides his love for learning, Byron liked gardening, traveling, playing tennis, and trying different restaurants. In 1981 he founded a mail order business “A Cook’s Wares,” which now also includes a store and an online site at www.cookswares.com.

Byron was on the board of the local Salvation Army, and president of it for many years. He was a member of the Chippewa United Presbyterian Church, the American Philosophical Association, and the Evangelical Theological Society, the latter since 1996. Byron regularly delivered papers at the ETS meetings, and was on the program for the 55th Annual Meeting when he died of cancer on June 2, 2003, at the age of 55 years, 9 months, and 3 days. Through his battle with cancer, Byron never doubted the goodness of God.

Left to mourn Byron’s departure are his wife, Gail, of Beaver Falls, PA; daughter Kara, and her husband Jim Cantamessa in France; son Brandon, living at home; brother David Bitar and wife Betty Jo, and children Elizabeth and David of Walnut Creek, CA; brother Roger Bitar and wife Yvonne, and children Maria Elena and Daniel of San Diego, CA; brother Philip Bitar and wife Marie, and children Brittany, Owen, and Althea of Arlington, WA; sister Marilyn and husband Vince Inzerillo with children Vince, Adrian, and Marissa of Battle Ground, WA; plus many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

James Duncan Boyd

James Duncan Boyd was born on October 10, 1958 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, to James and Pauline Boyd. James was s...

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