December 19, 2006
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| Rev. E. Raymond "Padre" Shaheen |
E. Raymond Shaheen, 91
The Rev. E. Raymond Shaheen, special assistant to the president of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., died on December 12, 2006, at Nottingham Village in Northumberland, Pa. A pastor and ambassador, Raymond was affectionately referred to as “Padre” within the Susquehanna University family.
Raymond was born May 9, 1915, in Williamsport, Pa., the son of Eli Shaheen, a Lebanese immigrant, and his wife, Ida Mae Borack. A graduate of Montoursville High School, he earned a bachelor of arts degree from Susquehanna University in 1937 and a divinity degree from Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1940. That same year, he married the former Winifred Heim. They had two sons, David, who is now pastor of Christ Lutheran Community Church in Upper Darby, Pa., and Jon, who died in 1989. Raymond and Winifred enjoyed nearly 62 years of marriage together until her death in February 2002.
Raymond served as pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in South Williamsport from 1940 until 1956 before moving his family to Silver Spring, Md., where he served as pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church for 29 years. In addition, he wrote weekly columns for The Grit and Williamsport Sun-Gazette newspapers.
During his tenure at St. Luke, Raymond served as Dean of the Washington District of the Maryland Synod and on the Executive Council of the Lutheran Church in America. In addition to this work, he conducted retreat sessions for military chaplains and church pastors, and served as a preacher and evangelist in India and South America.
Upon his retirement from St. Luke in 1985, he returned to his alma mater and volunteered for the next 20 years, twice as interim chaplain, in 1986 and 1996, and as special assistant to Susquehanna's president.
His devotion to Susquehanna University was exceptional. He coordinated numerous special events for alumni and students, and was special missioner for various local congregations. In 1990, he founded the Susquehanna University Institute for Lifelong Learning to provide educational and social opportunities for hundreds of older adults in the central Pennsylvania region as well as at branches in York, Pa., and Silver Spring, Md. He guided and nurtured the institute's growth over the next 11 years, bringing people together for fellowship and personal enrichment, before retiring as director in 2001.
Raymond was the inspiration for such awards as the Class of '37 Scholarship, the Ruth Cunningham Scholarship Fund, the Stephen C. Fiedler Memorial Prize, the Pastor Raymond Shaheen Scholarship Endowment, and the Susquehanna University Institute for Lifelong Learning Scholarship. His achievements were honored in 1999 by the award of an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Susquehanna, and in 2002 he received the Alumni Association Award for Service from Susquehanna, in addition to the Alumni Award for Service in a Parish Setting from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate of divinity from Gettysburg College.
Raymond was once quoted as saying, “I try to affirm the worth of every person I meet.” That goal was realized thousands of times over in the interactions he had with friends and first-time acquaintances alike. Raymond was a one-of-a-kind individual who had a special way of making us feel better in his presence. A kind word, an amusing anecdote, a provocative question or an encouraging insight – these were his trademarks.
Raymond is survived by a son, the Rev. David Shaheen, his wife Teri, and two grandsons, Timothy and Christopher.
A memorial service at Susquehanna University will be planned and announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, Pa. 17870, and will be added to existing scholarship funds honoring the Shaheen family.
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