Summer 2007 - Hood College

Summer 2007Hood Magazine 9Rememberinga mentor and friendREV. PAUL F. MEHLBy Audrey Heyman Rooney ’60The Rev. Paul F. Mehl, professor ofreligion and philosophy at Hood from1957 to 1976, died of lymphatic cancer athis home in Frederick Dec. 9, 2006.In 1955 Paul was ordained a ministerin the Evangelical and ReformedChurch, which is now the United Churchof Christ, following an undergraduatedegree in American studies from YaleUniversity. As Yale students, Paul and hisfuture wife, Barbara, or B.J. as she wasknown, met as delegates to a summerchurch conference, before returning toYale. Both earned master of divinitydegrees from Union TheologicalSeminary and, before coming to Hood,Paul taught at Vassar College. In 1961he was awarded a doctoral degree fromColumbia University.A philosophy major at Hood, thiswriter recalls a year of pleasant consternationunder Paul’s tutelage, writing anhonors paper. Over the years we kept intouch with the Mehls and a highlight ofclass reunions were long afternoon talkssweetened with honey from the hives inthe garden.Paul’s response to his diagnosisfive years ago was characteristic. Heapproached it with what might be called“holy curiosity,” fueled by scientificinquiry, treatment, learning and love.Paul’s ministry continued. He led adulteducation classes and acted as a mentorfor fellow seekers, especially in the fieldof process theology. A member of GraceUCC in Frederick, Paul was drawn tothe problem of reconciling religion andscience.Last year the “Hood girls,” philosopherHelen Buss Mitchell ’63 and I,were privileged to join a group whichmet in the Mehls’ living room. Variedreligious and professional backgroundsmade for a rich mix, as we ponderedAlfred North Whitehead and currentstudies of “divine reality” stemming fromWhitehead’s work. We had fun, too.A nature and ecology advocate overhis lifetime, Paul biked with his two sons,Andrew and Peter, and daughter, MaryBeth. He pedaled cross-country to meetingsand friends in distant states. Hisrecumbent bicycle was a familiar sight onFrederick streets to and from the hospitalduring chemotherapy.Paul played the French horn in theFrederick Symphony Orchestra and inseveral brass quintets. Favorites from hislibrary were chosen for the memorialservice Dec. 27, which opened withbaroque works for brass and closed withScott Joplin rags.In her letter to friends and family, B.J.found the essence of Paul’s ministry inwords of process theologian Daniel DayWilliams: “Love does not resolve everyconflict, but it accepts conflict as thearena in which the work of love is tobe done.”In memory of Dr. Mehl, I am honoredto endow a scholarship in his name.The Paul F. Mehl Memorial Scholarshipwill be awarded annually to a student orstudents concentrating in philosophy orreligion and shall be based on financialneed. In addition, the award will recognizethe student or students who bestexemplify the convictions Paul Mehlheld dear.“Love does not resolve every conflict,but it accepts conflictas the arena in whichthe work of love is to be done.”Daniel Day Williams