The Rev. Dr. Spencer Lavan—parish minister, scholar, seminary president, and wise, friendly, generous mentor—died on 29 September 2016 in Brunswick, Maine, at age 78, after a long decline from Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Lavan’s full and varied career led him to service in the parish, the academy, community ministry, and public agencies. Students and faculty at Meadville Lombard School during his presidency there recall how Spencer and his wife Susan “took a personal interest in each of their students, creating a hospitality that drew the entire…community together” (Lee Barker).
Spencer Lavan was born on 31 December 1937 to Fay and Peter Lavan in New York City. He earned a B.A. in English from Tufts University in 1959, a B.D. from Harvard Divinity School
in 1962, and from McGill University (Montréal) an M.A. in Islamic studies in 1965 and a Ph.D. in comparative religions in 1970.
Ordained in 1962, Spencer served parish ministries in Charleston (SC) and Montréal, and as campus minister at McGill University during his graduate studies there. Soon thereafter he turned to academic work, first at Northeastern University (MA) for two years and then Tufts University (MA) for a decade. He organized and chaired the Department of Medical Humanities at the University of New England, Maine (1982-88) and then served Meadville Lombard Theological School as president and dean for eight years (1988-96).
Dr. Lavan received three honorary degrees and authored two scholarly books. He had a passion for teaching, enjoyed traveling, classical music, sailing, and playing the piano.
Spencer is survived by his spouse of 55 years, Susan Lavan, children Jonathan, Daniel, Timothy, and Joanna, six grandchildren, and a brother, Lawrence.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to Meadville Lombard Theological School: www.meadville.edu/donate/. Notes of condolence may be sent to Susan Lavan at 11 Cascos Way, Harpswell, ME 04079.