David Ray Cartlidge
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Dr. David R. Cartlidge, Ralph W. Beeson Chair of Religion Emeritus at Maryville College
David R. Cartlidge, Th.D., Ralph W. Beeson Chair of Religion Emeritus at Maryville College, died on August 20, 2021, in Chattanooga, Tenn., while residing near his daughter's home. Dr. Cartlidge passed away surrounded by his family, his favorite music, his photography, and shelves of his favorite books.
Born on September 25, 1932, in Wilmington, Ohio, David grew up in Champaign, Ill. In his youth, he was an accomplished student, athlete, musician, and decorated Eagle Scout. He graduated from Wooster College in Ohio, where he lettered in swimming and tennis, and earned his college tuition by working summers as a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes. He often acknowledged that his most noteworthy undergraduate achievement was accepting an invitation to a Sadie Hawkins dance from Florence Ann Macleod of Pittsburgh, Penn. They married in 1955.
After earning his Master of Divinity at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, David accepted a pastorate at the First Presbyterian Church of Cambridge Springs, Penn., where he and Florie also celebrated the birth of two children: Ruth Ann and Daniel Ray. David's drive to learn then took him to Harvard Divinity School, where he studied New Testament theology under the tutelage of noted 20th Century religion scholars Helmut Koester and Krister Stendahl. After receiving his Th.D. from Harvard, Dr. Cartlidge accepted a teaching position at Maryville College, in Maryville, Tenn.
For over 31 years, Dr. Cartlidge served Maryville College with excellence. In 1992, he was installed as the Ralph W. Beeson Chair of Religion. The thousands of students who came through his classroom encountered an enthusiastic teacher who valued curiosity, humor, and well-researched arguments. "Dr. C," as he was known by his religion majors, loved nothing better than an impromptu, politically seditious academic discussion, often hosted from his booth in the student center or a bench outside Anderson Hall.
During his tenure at the college, Dr. Cartlidge co-authored two books: "Documents and Images for the Study of the Gospels," with Dr. David L. Dungan and "Art and the Christian Apocrypha," with Dr. J. Keith Elliott. He also coached the women's tennis team, played the flute in both the college-community orchestra and band, and regularly displayed his photography at the homecoming art fair. After retiring in 1998, Dave was still a regular presence at college athletic events and on the tennis courts, where he habitually trounced players many decades his junior, including his son and grandson.
Those who knew Dave beyond academia recognized a man of many hobbies and curiosities. Once intrigued, he would master whatever avocation he tried: singer, ballroom dancer, HAM radio operator, model ship builder, flutist, photographer. His skill with a camera took him to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park often, where he hiked miles to find the perfect shot. His photography was exhibited in galleries throughout East Tennessee. He spent countless hours in the basement darkroom he had built from scratch in his Maryville home.
Closest to Dave's heart were his family, his love of music, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren, and his beloved cottage at the Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA) in Benzie County, Mich. From infancy, David spent every summer at the CSA. There, he served as a swimming instructor, tennis coach, groundskeeper, choir member, and guest preacher. Over the course of decades, he taught generations of young people the values of Christian service, exploration of faith, and the stewardship of nature. He was an avid sailor and hiker who spent a lifetime exploring the lakes and dunes of Northwestern Michigan
To his family and close friends, Dave was a formidable, loving punster that kept us gathering, singing, and laughing until the moment he died. We will miss him with every breath that we take.
Dr. David R. Cartlidge is survived by his children, Daniel Cartlidge of Sarasota, Fla., Ruth Thompson and son-in-law Art Thompson of Chattanooga, his grandchildren Christine Cartlidge, Kevin Cartlidge, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Perez Cartlidge, and great-granddaughter Cora Grace Cartlidge, of San Diego, Cal. Dr. Cartlidge is preceded in death by his wife, Florence Macleod Cartlidge, sister Mary Ann Cartlidge LaFountaine, and his parents, the Rev. Dr. A. Ray and Mary A. Cartlidge.
Because of public health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, a memorial service will be held in Maryville, Tenn., at a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family requests that gifts in honor of Dr. David R. Cartlidge be sent to either the Friends of the Smokies (FriendsoftheSmokies.org) or the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes (FriendsofSleepingBear.org).
Arrangements are by the Cremation Center of Chattanooga, 1345 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, TN 37321. (423)-362-5999