Donald Edward Byrne Jr, January 07, 1942 — July 10, 2018

Obituary for Donald Edward Byrne, Jr. Donald Edward Byrne, Jr., 76, of Harrisburg, died July 10, 2018. Born in St. Paul, Minn. , on January 7, 1942, he was the son of the late Donald and Edna Byrne.

He earned his bachelor of arts degree at St. Paul Seminary in 1963; his master’s degree at Marquette University in 1966; and his doctorate at Duke University in 1972. From 1971 to 2005, he was professor of religion and American Studies at Lebanon Valley College. His scholarship focused on American folk religion, particularly as expressed in the Methodist and Roman Catholic communities.

Other interests included American studies, religion and ethics, religion and literature, peace studies, and mysticism. In 1987, he was awarded the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching. Following his retirement, the Religion & Philosophy Department established the Donald E. Byrne Jr. Award for Undergraduate Research in his honor.

He is the author of No Foot of Land: Folklore of American Methodist Itinerants (The Scarecrow Press, 1975) and numerous and award-winning publications of poetry in Quarry, Karamu, Windless Orchard, Cream City Review, West Branch, Negative Capability, and Red Clay Review. He was a singer, prolific songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, both as a solo artist and with Central Pennsylvania-based bluegrass bands Valley Grass and Reunion. A theologian, teacher, poet, musician, son, brother, father, friend, husband, and sweetheart, Donald’s spirit of adventure, intelligence, salty sense of humor, and deep kindness and compassion will be greatly missed.

He is survived by sweetheart Pamela Neill; brother Philip; daughters Julie, Clare, Mary and Monica; son Donald; grandson Niko and granddaughter Laxmi; and many other beloved family members. He is predeceased by his wife, Mary Anne Tietjen Byrne. Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at 3 PM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 125 Spruce St., Annville, Pa.

, 17003. A reception will follow in St. Paul’s Parish Hall. We will update this obituary with donation information as soon as possible.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donald Edward Byrne, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Memorial Mass 2018 JUL 14. 03:00 PM St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church 125 S. Spruce St. Annville, PA, US, 17003 Order Flowers for the Memorial Mass Guaranteed delivery before Donald’s Memorial Mass begins.

If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.