From the Robert W. Funk Memorial Dinner

Several years ago when Jack Spong was gravely ill, his wife Christine stepped up to the mic and delivered his lectures for him. At that time I remember telling Bob that, while the list of things I would do for him was pretty long, that would surely not be on it. But tonight there is something I want to say to you so there's seems to be no way to avoid this mic.

First, I want to thank you all for the many cards, emails, letters and spoken words of condolence and gratitude for Bob's life and work. Your words mean a great deal to me and to Bob's daughters, Andrea and Stephanie, with whom I have shared them. Your support has sustained us over these last several weeks.

Early this year when Bob received invitations from Butler University, Drew University, and the Society of Biblical Literature, inviting him to attend events in his own honor, I joked that he had finally lived long enough to become venerable. He was pleased, or at least not displeased, at the honors being offered him. But I know beyond any doubt that he would be much more deeply moved by your expressions of affection for him and appreciation for his work. I think he might also caution against turning an iconoclast into an icon, and suggest that it is his glimpse of the way the world could be that is truly important.

Shortly after Bob died, I sent an email to Westar's Board affirming my dedication to its mission and to its future. In another to Fellows, I expressed the hope that they would join me in making Bob's Westar legacy a lasting one. The commitment of the Board and Fellows has been very much in evidence at this meeting and it has been echoed by many others of you. And Bob's spirit was clearly still at work in the vibrant scholarly exchange of these last few days.

I can't imagine a better way to honor Bob's memory than to carry that same Westar spirit of collaboration and collegiality into the future. I hope you will help us make that future a reality.

—Char Matejovsky