In Memoriam: Bill Stolte

Dr. William “Bill” Stolte
October 28, 1935 ~ August 26, 2022

Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.

~Thomas Merton

Letter from Rev. Kent

Beloved church friends and family,
 
With deep sadness I report that another of our great “saints” has died and entered the wider life. Bill Stolte passed away after a very short time in hospice, and following what some of you will know was long decline. He was however able to be present to his wife and children right until his release which came this morning. Prayers surround Annriette, their children and grand-children, and I’m also holding the many, many people who counted Bill as friend, mentor, brother, and colleague. The world is a little dimmer without his considerable light. Of course no arrangement details are known at this time, but our hearts are with all mourning the passing of a good man and a great friend.
 
A native of New York state, Bill’s reserved aspect could easily be mistaken for a taciturn personality, but that was not the case. Though he was exceptionally thoughtful and possessed a talent for analytics, his sense of humor–high, wry and dry–was never far from the surface. Principled and disciplined, he loved a good laugh, good German beer, beautiful music, and a fine well-reasoned argument. He was a tender-hearted friend with a compassionate soul, and he was such an amiable conversation partner that any who knew him treasured every second of our time spent. He was a man of integrity with a particular courage and direct authenticity all too rare.
 
Bill and Annriette came to Berea in the early 70s. They had met at the University of Chicago and when Bill was offered a position as professor of economics at Berea College, they moved here and raised their family. Bill taught in the department and also served as Dean of Berea College (where for his careful focus on those budgets, he was affectionately known as “Dollar Bill,” a fact he was unaware of until after his retirement.)
 
Bill’s service to Union Church, Habitat for Humanity, Berea College, Berea Home Village, and the countless other worthy causes to which he devoted himself cannot be overstated. He was deeply committed to the cause of peace, and through that worked forged life-long friendships and empowered institutions like Peace-Craft, the Madison County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and the list goes on and on.
 
In addition, many reading this will have personally benefited from his hours of work and thought, and maybe even his generosity which extraordinary and regular. There were many times when upon hearing of a need, Bill would call me up and ask me to be his “anonymizing agent” to help a family, advance a cause, make sure a young person was supported, or keep an individual out of trouble. That he never wanted any of those people to be beholden or to take credit he didn’t feel was his due is another witness to his character and to the nature of his faith. In word and in deed Bill Stolte truly “walked the walk” with an eye to the needs and a heart for the work.
 
In our church community Bill served as an effective chair and participant on many, many projects. He was also deeply rooted in theological reflection, thought, and prayer. He participated regularly and to my great benefit in the Tuesday morning lectionary study group, and was always interested in following points of a sermon or a reading with good conversation. He eschewed dogmatism, appreciated good structure and process, and held fast to the idea of embodying the ministry of Jesus, not just talking or reading about it.
 
He was particularly instrumental in assisting with building projects at Union, including the massive renovations in 2012, the installation of the memorial garden refurbishments, our solar panels, and an untold number of budget reviews and revisions. (He was a VERY careful reader of budgets! Very. Careful.) And even if he was not entirely satisfied with a particular direction or decision made, his commitment to church family and community was absolute, and his service unflinching. He could speak his peace, listen deeply, and accept the discernment of the body with nary a dent to that commitment. A rare quality and a particular gift to every setting he served.
 
For many years the Stoltes were members of St. Thomas Lutheran (ELCA) in Richmond, but joined Union Church, in 2007. This made formal what had long been a dual affection with the church where their children attended youth group and where many colleagues and friends worshipped. I know that St. Thomas members join us in the deep gratitude we feel to such a servant leader, and I know that Bill’s Lutheran heritage and the St. Thomas community remained very important to him.
 
As most of you know, Bill and Annriette recently relocated to Signal Mountain, Tennessee, to be near family following health issues that made it clear more help would be necessary. With the hope of rehabilitation Bill moved into the skilled nursing end of the Alexian Way retirement community, while Annriette looked after their apartment in assisted living.
 
His full recovery was not to be, however.
 
In a recent call Bill and I shared he expressed how much he loved and appreciated the care he was getting and how much he loved and missed his Berea community. He was so grateful to be able to see and have breakfast most days with Annriette and to have the visits of the family. The presence of the children and grandchildren, and hearing of their lives and accomplishments, made him very proud indeed. Rightly so. He asked in that call to express his appreciation for all those who made his life so rich and meaningful in Berea. I told him then and say to us know, it is he that has made our lives rich and we will never forget.
 
Selfishly, I am sad beyond words that our friend has gone on to better fields, and that the chance for one more good conversation is gone now. But knowing of his long year of suffering, and the many graces no longer available to him, I am glad that he is freed from all that fettered his restless spirit. Now, I pray, he knows face to face the mysteries of the Great Love to which he devoted his life and thought. And I trust that all of those who went before him into the great unknowing, those whom he treasured as brothers and sisters in this great work of life, have come to welcome him to a new circle of action and contemplation.
 
The family are gathering now in Tennessee and I ask you to join me in praying for them. Annriette reports sorrow and also relief that this long year of his suffering is over, and promised to let us know as soon as any arrangements are made. In the meantime, I remember the words of Thomas Merton that remind me so much of Bill:
 
“Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another.”
 
May the love find and surround you this day. In life, in death, in sorrow, in joy, may we seek and serve God’s love together.
 
In sorrow and in the sure ad certain hope of resurrection,